HYDE UNITED 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Nick Spooner had every reason to be satisfied as Hyde United held Oldham Athletic, two divisions higher in the football pyramid to a goalless draw in front of a bumper 1,359 crowd at the Project Solar Stadium.
The Tigers’ manager saw his side more than match the full-time outfit from Boundary Park and with more clinical finishing they might have claimed a National League scalp.
Spooner has a new-look side with Lewis Alessandra and Harry Bunn providing a wealth of Football League experience as has returning Jack Redshaw with the three forwards oozing class as they see things on the pitch which others often don’t.
“Lewis and Harry have a lot of Football League experience and that can only improve us,” said Spooner.
“When players like that become available, you have to go into the market. Not only are they good footballers, but they are good people.”
Another player to shine was Aaron Fleming as the central defender is likely to hold down a regular place following the departure of Jordan Fagbola.
Fleming, whose opportunities were limited last season because of injury and the presence of Fagbola and Brad Roscoe, will have no trouble stepping up.
He was also watched in the stands by his other half, Everton and England defender Gabby George.
Of the game, Spooner added: “It was a very good workout. We knocked the ball around well, both in and out of possession.
“I am very happy with the two performances (they also drew 2-2 against Bury FC) against two very good teams.”
While this was Hyde’s second game, it was Oldham’s opener and they played two completely different sides in each half apart from Portuguese Benny Couto who played the full 90 minutes. For them it was clearly more of a fitness exercise.
Redshaw might have scored twice in the opening half as he failed to hit the target, each time following excellent passages of play.
Oldham also had their moments when youth-team graduate Kofi Moore fired narrowly wide, Joe Nuttall forced goalkeeper Craig Ellison to turn his effort around the post for a corner while Couto’s drive flashed just past the upright.
The second half never sparked to life apart from an early chance for the visitors when Ellison’s poor clearance found Mike Fondop whose lob landed on the roof of the net.