With new signing from Altrincham making his debut up front in place of Gary Duffty and Dean Jones returning to the defence the Blues gave one of their best displays of the season and were a little unfortunate to finish with only one point. The opening ten minutes saw chances at both ends with Yeo firing over from 20 yards for Hyde after a slip by Jones whilst Chambers went shoulder to shoulder with Hyde's Wilson, forcing him to concede a corner which Steve Price got into the danger area at the second attempt and Chambers turned his cross into the side netting from close range. Shortly afterwards Price came to the rescue at the other end when Hall broke clear but the Hyde forward took too much time on the ball allowing Price to block his progress. The Blues ought to have taken the lead on 19 minutes when Graham Lewis seized on a weak back header but he fired over from 12 yards. On 24 minutes Yeo controlled the ball with his arms in the box before dragging his shot wide but three minutes later the visitors took the lead. The referee awarded Hyde a debatable free-kick which Andy Carney dropped under pressure and Band fired into the roof of the net from close range. This seemed to spur the Blues forward with Lewis firing just wide from the edge of the box after turning on a pass from Chambers. On 41 minutes Chris Hurst sent Lewis away down the left and he sent over a cross which Bennett took off the head of Chanbers. However, two minutes later the Blues equalised when LEWIS took advantage of some indecision in the Hyde defence to shoot low into the corner as Frickley finished the half strongly.

Another new signing, Andy Gregory from Emley, replaced Dean Jones at half time along and Ian Edge replaced Phil Brown. The Blues continued from where they left off, pushing Hyde back into their own half and almost took the lead with a good move on 55 minutes. Edge sent Lewis scampering down the left and he crossed to Chambers who then teed up Fox but his 15 yard shot sailed just over the bar. Rimmer then headed a free-kick by Price over his own baron 57 minutes as Frickley forced the pace before Martin Fox was forced to be replaced by Gary Duffty after suffering an injury. Edge then robbed a Hyde defender on the edge of the box and beat 2 more before finding Gregory on the right. His cross was headed out as far as Lewis who volleyed into the side netting from 18 yards. Lewis, who had a great game, then ran at the Hyde defence before having a 20 yard shot deflected for a corner and on 68 minutes Hurst headed down a corner by Edge but Bennett punched clear before a finishing touch could be applied. Hyde had there only real opportunity of the second half on 71 minutes when Gregory sold Hilton short and the ball was played forward to Hanson who found himself in space to the right of the box but Matthew Wilkinson did brilliantly to block his shot. On 78 minutes Gregory shot over from 18 yards as the Blues tried hard to find a much needed and deserved winner and then on 80 minutes Chambers was brought down outside the box. Price took the free-kick which looked to be destined to go just inside the right hand post but Bennett did extremely well to not only save the shot but catch it as well. The last chance fell to Chambers on 85 minutes. Hurst found Gregory on the right and he sent over a deep cross which Chambers headed narrowly over the bar.

In the end it was disappointing to only gain one point but the performance, particularly in the second half, must surely give the side more confidence. Chambers looks as though he could be the missing part of the jigsaw and Gregory also looked a good acquisition. Lee Stratford, who would have played today had it not been for Bradford Park Avenue not releasing him in time, should also add more quality down the left.

Frickley Athletic : Carney, Hilton, Fox (Duffty 60), Jones (Gregory 45), Matt. Wilkinson, Hanby, Lewis, Price, Chambers, Hurst, Brown (Edge 45)

Hyde United : Bennett, Wilson, Robertson, Beeston , Rimmer, Band , Taylor, Hall, Yeo (Tobin 90), Hanson (Beirne 73), Charles. Unused sub. Laurie.

Attendance : 139