Andrew’s Match Preview
Hyde United v Colne
FA Trophy
Ewen Fields/Project Solar Stadium
Saturday 8th October - 15:00
Penalties if level after 90 minutes
Colne take a break from the league to visit Ewen Fields in Greater Manchester to take on Hyde United in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
Hyde United, nicknamed “The Tigers”, play in the NPL Premier division - one league above the Reds - and they currently sit in 5th place, a point behind
leaders Stafford Rangers with two games in hand. They have won 6 games so far, drawn twice and lost twice and their average attendance this season is around the 600 mark. The two losses were a 3-0 defeat away at Morpeth Town and a 1-0 home deficit to Ashton United in the Tameside derby. The two draws were 1-1 stalemates, at home to Radcliffe on the opening day, and away at Gainsborough Trinity. Two away wins were gained at Atherton Collieries 1-0 and Warrington Rylands 4-2, along with victories at home, 2-0 over Belper Town, 1-0 against FC United, 2-1 over Guiseley and a 1-0 win over Nantwich in their last league game.
Hyde are still in the FA Cup after winning all three of their rounds so far. Warrington Rylands were hammered 4-0 on their own patch, followed by 1-0 home victories over Warrington Town and National league North side Darlington. Their reward is an away tie at Buxton in the 3rd qualifying round. This will be their first game in the FA Trophy this season; last year they were defeated 1-2 at home by Mossley at this stage of the competition.
Hyde United players to watch - Well travelled striker Jack Redshaw has EFL experience with Morecambe and Blackpool and played for Halifax Town in the National league. He joined from Ashton Town in the summer, and has scored 6 times so far this season. Skipper and centre-half/RB Bradley Roscoe, came through PNE’s academy. He has been an ever present so far this term and has contributed 3 goals. Brad is of course a Colner, born and bred, and he is the son of Colne Dynamoes FA Vase hero Neville. Another with EFL experience is winger/attacking midfielder Adam Dawson who in 2013 played for Nelson, before incredibly being signed by Leicester City! Adam joined the Tigers in the summer from Bamber Bridge, and has contributed a goal and 4 assists this season. Goalkeeper Craig Ellison will need no introduction to the travelling Red Army. He played four times for Colne last Autumn on loan, due to an injury to Hakan Burton, and only conceded once. He has been 2nd choice this season to loan keeper Giosue Bellagambi. However, Championship side Huddersfield Town recalled the young keeper on Thursday, and Ellison will take the number one jersey. Former Bury pro striker Tom Pratt is a Hyde United cult hero, and he was last season’s leading goal scorer. Tom has 2 goals and 3 assists to his name this term. 21 year old striker Eddie Brown is highly regarded, and was plying his trade with Bolton Wanderers, in league one only two years ago. The Tigers are managed by former Bolton Wanderers Premier league player Nicky Spooner, who replaced Jim Gannon in February.
Last time out for the Reds - An away game at last season’s play-off finalists Runcorn Linnets was always going to be the Reds’ toughest test to date. Colne skipper Paul Dugdale was ruled out with covid protocols, so Matty Kardacz joined Glenn Steele, and captain for the afternoon Tom Fagan, in defence. Tom McCann and Luke Stowe flanked the midfield trio of Craig Carney, Brad Knox and the returning Oli Roberts, with Lucas Weaver supporting Owen Watkinson up front. A very scrappy first half in windy conditions, limited the game to a few half chances at either end, until a spell of home pressure resulted in the first goal, just before half-time. A flighted free-kick into the Colne penalty area, was met with a confident cry of “Andre’s” from Red’s stopper Andre Mendes. Unfortunately his judgement was out, and as the defence left him to it, Sam Heathcote headed the ball into an empty net to give the hosts a 1-0 half time lead. Super sub Jack Doherty replaced Lucas Weaver at the break, as Colne sought an equaliser, but it was a great tip over save from Mendes, keeping out a James Hooper effort, that kept the score 1-0. Tom McCann went off injured 25 minutes from time and was replaced down the right by Harry Jones, as Linnets’ experience, meant that they kept the ball well, and denied the Reds any penetration. Charlie Russell came on for Matty Kardacz 7 minutes from time as the Reds pushed forward for an equaliser, but in the last minute, a 50/50 tussle between Bradley Knox and Sidi Sanogo Fofana, which began outside the Colne penalty box, continued into it, and when the home team midfielder went down, the referee pointed to the spot. Jamie Rainford sent the Red’s keeper the wrong way to make the final score 2-0. The young Colne side will have picked up valuable experience, against a team, who will be pushing for a play-off place as a minimum this season.
Who’s on Ashh’s couch? - Goalkeeper Hakan Burton did some light training before the Hyde game, just for fitness, as he remains out for the season. Harry Winstanley has gently started his rehab, but remains 4-5 weeks off fitness. Ellis Wallbank is still a couple of weeks away, due to his knee injury he received against 1874 Northwich. Both are limited to gym work. Tom McCann had to come off last Saturday at Runcorn, and he won’t be fit, due to a hip flexor issue.
Team news - Captain Paul Dugdale is fit enough to return after his covid isolation. Up front Jack Doherty and new signing Kyobe McDaniel will be pushing for a start, as will experienced midfielder Charlie Russell after his return from early season injury. The welcome return from Atherton Collieries of midfielder Oliver Roberts is a boost to Phil Brown, who will be hopeful of further reinforcements to help kick the club on and give him more playing options. The lack of natural width in the side is at times apparent, obviously not helped by Harry Winstanley’s injury, Tom Fagan having to cover in central defence, and the return to Morecambe of loanee Adam Mayor. What the Colne manager wouldn’t give for a winger of Mayor, or Danny Edwards’ quality out wide, to help the Reds get up the pitch at pace, and provide chances for the strikers. With Tom McCann not being available, Matty Kardacz could start again, allowing Tom Fagan to cover down the right side. Colne have two victories already this season in this competition, knocking out NPL East sides, Bridlington Town 2-1 and Consett 1-0.
Hyde United are a well established, and in form side at step 3, and it will be a tough ask for the young Reds to overcome them, especially on their own turf, where they have won 6 out of 8 games this season, including their last 5. The Tigers are much improved from last season under new gaffer Nicky Spooner, becoming a very disciplined outfit, who can press high, or play on the counter depending on the opposition. Adam Dawson is clearly the creative spark, who pulls the strings for the very pacey attacking threat they possess. The Reds will need to be alert, work hard and be more clinical when chances present themselves, than of late, if they are to pull off an upset. But, this is a cup tie, and hopefully if the Tigers look past the Reds, and Colne hang in there, and pull off a performance to match last year’s FA Trophy win at Buxton, in very similar circumstances, then the Wembley dream could still be alive!
Admission Prices are:
Adults - £12
Concessions - £8
Under 16’s - £6
Under 12’s - £1
Usually £1 extra for main stand.
The Project Solar Stadium
Walker Lane
Hyde
SK14 5PL
Upcoming games
Tue 11th October - Colne v Fleetwood under 23’s Friendly
Sat 15th October - Colne v Prescot Cables - 15:00 NPL West
Sat 22nd October - Colne v Skelmersdale United - 15:00 NPL West
Tue 25th October - Glossop North End v Colne - 19:45 NPL West
Today’s other games involving NPL West teams - 15:00
FA Trophy ties
Atherton Collieries v Leek Town
Clitheroe v Marske United
Macclesfield v Bamber Bridge
Runcorn Linnets v Ossett United
NPL West league
Bootle v Ramsbottom
Hanley Town v Widnes
Kidsgrove Athletic v Mossley
Prescot Cables v Glossop North End
Skelmersdale United v Newcastle Town
Trafford v City of Liverpool
Comments