ASHTON UNITED 2, HYDE UNITED 1
Ashton United manager Steve Cunningham described the derby victory against neighbours Hyde United as ‘payback’.
It was certainly sweet bearing in mind the Robins were beaten 6-0 at home by their rivals in last season’s corresponding fixture.
That turned out to be the last game for manager Michael Clegg who was succeeded by Cunningham with the team embroiled in a battle against relegation.
Fast forward eight months and this victory lifted Ashton into third place – joint second on points – with the club’s fortunes transformed under Cunningham.
It was a typical derby, feisty in parts, and produced two of the best goals you will see all season at any level.
Hyde, with Harry Bunn injured and Jack Redshaw only fit enough for the bench, were without two of their most influential attacking players.
Yet it was Nick Spooner’s side which took the lead and could have been out of sight before Ashton snatched a leveller on the stroke of half time.
“If it had remained 1-0 at half time, Cunny (Steve Cunningham) would have had a different team talk,” explained Spooner.
“The disappointing thing is that we need to start scoring goals, At least we are creating chances, but we have got to start taking them.”
Winger Antoine Macoli, who was on Wycombe Wanderers’ books last season, showed how it should be done by giving Hyde a 26th minute lead.
A defensive clearance fell invitingly as he hit a screamer from outside the box which arrowed high into the net.
Ashton keeper Luke Simpson made a fabulous double save to deny Sonny Whittingham and Matthew Fearnley while Lewis Alessandra’s shot whistled past the upright.
No wonder Spooner lamented his side, which also had a couple of shouts for penalties, could have been three goals ahead.
Just as the board was displayed showing three additional minutes, Ashton conjured a goal out of nothing as Keilen Adams, once of Oldham Athletic, cut in from the right and fired an unstoppable effort high into the top far corner to put a different complexion on the second half.
Ashton scored their second just short of the hour when Hyde captain Brad Roscoe handled and Alex Byrne scored from the spot.
Hyde has assistant manager Martyn Coyne and first-team coach Gavin McCann booked with Spooner explaining Coyne’s caution was for ‘stepping on to the pitch aggressively’.
There was also a yellow card for substitute Adam Dawson who, warming up, mistakenly picked up the ball believing it had gone out of play for a throw-in.
Adams had a chance to score a third goal for Ashton, but his effort was well kept out by the legs of keeper Luke Hutchinson.
Hyde, down in 15th place with seven points from six games, never seriously threatened an equaliser as Ashton defended resolutely and managed the latter stages well.
Cunningham said: “It is pay back from last year (6-0 defeat) for the chairman, board and supporters and great for them to have bragging rights.
“We are joint second tonight. Who would have thought that a couple of weeks ago?
“What has pleased me it that after both our defeats I have had a great response from the players by winning the next two games each time.”