HYDE UNITED 1, BUXTON 2
Hyde United remain perilously close to the bottom of Pitching In Northern Premier League, premier division following their home defeat to Buxton who reignited their faltering promotion challenge.
The form of the Tigers, now without a win in seven league matches, remains a concern to manager Jim Gannon as the Bucks recorded a first win in seven league matches.
“Performances have not been good enough with and without me, and we have always been looking over our shoulders,” he said.
Gannon, who was without suspended captain Tom Pratt, described his side’s display as “lacking energy and quality”.
He added: “In the first half we tried to be too elaborate, but we still created chances.
“We need to move the ball quicker to the front players and it may be a case of going back to simpler things.”
Gannon revealed he had failed to bring in a striker with his target opting to join another club.
“A number nine would be the icing on the cake, but no good unless other players get the ball into good areas for him, including set plays where our delivery has not been good enough,” he continued.
It was always going to be a tough afternoon with Buxton, captained by former Northern Ireland international Jamie Ward, in the promotion play-off place while Storm Malik made conditions blustery.
The opening half only came alive late on when Hyde’s Chinedu Uche sliced a shot wide, a great chance to give the Tigers the lead.
Buxton’s Dan Cowan glanced a header across the face of goal.
The visitors blew away Hyde scoring twice in the space of four minutes early in the second half as the swirling wind eased.
Jason Gilchrist made the breakthrough in the 48th minute with a neat, near-post finish from Mackenzie Heaney’s cross.
And that was quickly followed by Warren Clarke bending in a delightful effort from outside the penalty area.
Chris Dawson dragged another effort narrowly wide as Buxton almost grabbed a third.
Hyde were handed a lifeline when they halved the deficit in the 75th minute when Liam Tongue set up Jonah Mitchell who found the net with an excellent low shot from just inside the box.
Gannon’s side suddenly sensed it could get something out of the game and Buxton began to look nervy.
And it became feisty as Hyde became frustrated by Buxton’s time wasting – I am sure they will describe it as game management which disrupted their opponents.
In stoppage time, there was a flashpoint, an ugly melee in which Hyde substitute Krisel Prifti and Buxton’s Tom Elliott were sent off.
And in the eighth minute of added time, Hyde almost conceded a third goal. Ciaran Summers’ clearance was charged down by Ward who raced clean through only for goalkeeper Joe Green to make a great save.