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Saturday 14th December - Frickley Athletic 0-0 Hyde United

On a wet and misty afternoon the Blues were forced to settle for a point against bottom side Hyde United after going close on several occasions in the first half but producing an under-par second half performance which saw Hyde come back into the game and go close themselves.

Chris Newton was fit enough to partner Curtis Bernard up front whilst Paul Marquis returned to the defence in place of Craig Marsh. Andy Evans was on the subs bench after missing the last game through illness.

The Blues had the ball in the net after just 5 minutes following a free-kick on the left by Chris Gowen but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Hyde 'keeper Peter Crookes. Five minutes later Lee Morris did well down the right  before releasing Duncan Richrds who cut into the box before shooting just wide of the right hand post with his left foot. Morris should have scored on 19 minutes when he brilliantly controlled a long defence-splitting ball from Kieran O'Brien before shooting inches over the bar from 15 yards. Gowen then forced Crookes to push a close range angled shot round the post as the Blues forced quite a bit of pressure. Crookes was forced to catch a looping header from Steve Woolford whilst he almost threw a goal away seconds later by clearing straight to Morris, some 25 yards out but his shot was straight at Crookes. Then on the stroke of half time, Gowen shot just over the bar from 18 yards. Hyde had created very little during the opening half and it seemed that if the Blues carried in on the same way it would just be a matter of time before the goal came.

At half time Craig Elkin was forced off with Andy Evans coming on. Chris Newton dropped deeper with Evans partnering Bernard. On 48 minutes Evans got clear but Crookes came out quickly to block whilst on 55 minutes Crookes spilled a Morris cross from the right but the ball dropped agonisingly behind Evans. Bernard was then replaced by Nigel Henstock who played down the right, with Morris moving inside and Newton moving back up front. Hyde started to come into the game with Steve Foster having a close range shot blocked for a corner after a cross from the right hand dropped over Marquis. From the corner Troy Hayder headed into the side netting at the far post. Although Hyde were now having more of the possession they didn't really create many chances. On the few occasions the Blues managed to break the moves tended to break down upon reaching Evans who didn't seem to have his mind on the job in hand. On 80 minutes Henstock had a good run down the right before laying the ball back to Richards. Richards crossed into the box where Evans headed down to Gowen whose volley from 18 yards was well caught by Crookes. Morris was then subjected to a nasty tackle as he tried to bring the ball clear from in his own half. Unfortunately, Morris retaliated and a mass scuffle followed with both the original offender and Morris being extremely lucky to escape with only yellow cards. As the match entered the final minute the Blues had a glorious chance to snatch all three points when Woolford sent Henstock clear but he showed too much of the ball to Crookes who smothered it on the edge of the box. 

Frickley Athletic : Samways, Richards, O'Brien, Elkin (Evans 45), Jackson, Marquis, Morris, Woolford, Bernard (Henstock 60), Newton, Gowen. Unused sub. Sharpe

Hyde United : P Crookes, Lomax, Wright, D Crookes, Diggle, Lockett, Tee, Shelton, Foster, L Evans (Hayder 63), Hevicon. Unused subs. Meszaros, Whelan

Attendance : 119 

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