CHEADLE TOWN 0, HYDE UNITED 3
Hyde United were able to rest key players but still win through to the final of the Cheshire Senior Cup following a 3-0 win at Cheadle Town.
After a nervy opening, Hyde’s class told – they are two divisions higher in the football pyramid – as they secured a comfortable victory.
Former Huddersfield Town player Sonny Whittingham gave the Tigers the lead midway through the opening half while second half strikes from forward Ayo Quadri and left back Ryan White secured victory.
A delighted Hyde manager Nick Spooner, whose priority is trying to win promotion from Northern Premier League, premier said: “It is a nice distraction and a final to look forward to.
“We have not had a midweek game for a couple of weeks, and you enjoy them better than training.
“We have a major run in the league coming up and some big games. When I looked at these fixtures at the start of the season, these three define it against Warrington Rylands, Worksop and Macclesfield FC.”
Hyde, who had beaten Cheadle Heath Nomads, Alsager Town and Altrincham en route to the semi-finals, were able to rest the likes of Jack Redshaw, Lewis Alessandra and Harry Bunn, three players with a wealth of EFL experience.
Town, languishing in 17th place in North West Counties League, premier, had put out Northwich Victoria, Stockport Town and giantkilled Warrington Town in the last eight.
And Town could have been two ahead before Hyde settled when Joe Bunney headed against the crossbar in the 18th minute.
The breakthrough came mid-half through a low drive by Whittingham from the edge of the box.
White, Matty Fearnley and Quadri all wasted chances as the Tigers ought to have gone off at the break with a healthier lead.
Hyde doubled their lead early in the second half as Quadri reacted quickest after his initial shot was blocked to rifle home a low drive from the edge of the box.
Not long after the hour, White made it three, threading home a low shot from the left of the box.
Town had chances near the end to get on to the scoresheet, notably Wealth Dasilva-Olajide who was twice clean through, but each time blazed over.
The same player did likewise in the opening minutes of the match with Hyde’s clinical finishing the difference between the teams, even without forwards Redshaw, Alessandra and Bunn starting,