RADCLIFFE 1, HYDE UNITED 0
Hyde United left Radcliffe feeling cheated out of a point following late controversy over the goal that never was in their top-of-the-table Northern Premier League, premier clash.
Deep into injury time, Tigers’ fans behind the goal were convinced home goalkeeper Jack McIntyre carried the ball over the line before palming out Harry Ditchfield’s cross.
As the ball dropped, Hyde substitute Rio Evoy looked set to score before McIntyre redeemed himself with an unbelievable block.
The final whistle sounded seconds later and the Hyde players, aghast at the decision, surrounded the match officials. And in the ensuing maelstrom, it later emerged former Bolton Wanderers’ player McEvoy was shown a red card.
Hyde manager Nick Spooner took the decision on the chin.
“Something happened with Rio after the game – I don’t know exactly what as I was not involved – but you cannot change anything, even though people are saying the ball was over the line and there is a picture to prove it,” he said.
Spooner reflected on the late drama, adding his side has yet to score an injury-time goal this season.
He admitted the absence of four players – captain Brad Roscoe, Callum Spooner and Tom Pratt through suspension and the injured Will Russ – impacted them as he thought his side under-performed.
“For the first time I was disappointed with the lads,” he said. “It took until 91 minutes and 20 seconds before we started passing the ball.
“Too many players were off their game and the lads who were missing would have made a difference.”
Radcliffe had the two clearest chances of a poor first half with the sleet and poor playing surface not conducive for good football.
Jude Obiyo fired against an upright and Olly Thornley flashed a header narrowly wide from Nicky Adams’ free kick.
Obiyo was denied by a big block by Hyde keeper Dan Atherton on the hour before Jack Redshaw had Hyde’s best chance, his free kick from distance acrobatically turned over by McIntyre.
The matchwinner came in the 81st minute with the game seemingly heading for a goalless draw as substitutes Luca Navarro and Joe Piggott combined to break the deadlock.
Hyde’s defence was unlocked on the left and with Atherton dashing out to try and avert danger the ball was squared by Navarro for ex-Wigan Athletic striker Piggott to almost walk the ball into the net.
The late drama denied Hyde a point, though they remain second in the table. Radcliffe were big winners combing from fourth to third. They are two points behind Hyde having played one fewer match as they pursue runaway leaders South Shields who were held after a 3-3 draw at Stalybridge Celtic.
- Hyde have re-signed Adam Dawson who recently left the club to join Nantwich Town because of a lack of playing time.
Spooner made the move for Dawson, who he describes as a good influence in the dressing room, to help strengthen his depleted squad with new Nantwich manager Paul Carden allowing the midfielder to leave.