HYDE UNITED 1, ASHTON UNITED 1
Two first half goals saw Hyde United and Ashton United finish level in the local derby which was a fair reflection of the play on the plastic surface at the Project Solar UK Stadium.
One point apiece leaves the Tameside neighbours just outside the play-off places in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier.
The visitors had Benny Couto starting on the left side of midfield with Dan Cowan restored to the bench but the first significant chance went the way of the hosts as Ben Kershaw was denied six yards out by advancing keeper Jordan Eastham after Ewan Bange had headed a long ball down.
After 12 minutes, the Robins moved ahead following decent play in midfield between James Hardy and Darius Osei which led to Couto’s left- wing delivery being headed home by the unmarked Louis White.
Hyde United and Ashton United players line-up pre-match
Couto then fired a left wing throw in right across the goalmouth with Jason Gilchrist heading a good chance off target and Osei then spun on to Couto’s pass but fired straight across the area.
After 26 minutes, the Tigers were level as a clever ball into the area by Ayo Quadri saw captain Jack Redshaw lift the equaliser over Eastham slightly against the run of play.
Callum Spoone’s chip into the area then found Kershaw’s dangerous cross evading the home forwards and a ball over the top saw Bange shoot straight at Eastham.
With the interval approaching, a clever touch from Gilchrist saw Couto’s low shot saved by keeper Callum Hiddleston.
The second half got off to a slow start and it was past the hour mark when Harry Ditchfield’s cross saw Bange win a header which was saved by Eastham dropping to his right.
Following several substitutions, Tom Denton’s header was easily saved from Couto’s return ball following Nathan Lowe’s deep cross.
Entering the final ten minutes, Denton passed a loose ball to Lowe whose 30-yard effort went over the top and entering added time a great run by Connor Heath into the area ended with a fine block by Sam Baird before Luke Burke cleared the resulting corner.
The final result reflected how little there is between these teams in the league table, just one point and equal goal difference.
Ashton United: Eastham, Doherty, McCourt (Denton 69), Newton, Burke, Baird, Couto, White, Gilchrist (Bryan 61), Osei, Hardy (Lowe 46). Cowan, Massey.
Attendance: 812.
Report: David Robinson.