HYDE UNITED...3, RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...0

Unibond League Premier Division

BORO set out to give Hyde a lesson in neat, passing football, but it was the hosts who gave the final lesson - in direct, effective play.

All Boro's methodical approach work counted for nothing and it was Hyde's bustling style that won the day.

Andy Heald returned for Boro, replacing the injured Davey Luker and Boro set out to utilise the perfect playing surface to the full.

Phil Denney had an early shot charged and Richard Battersby and Denny then combined well to release Steve Foster, but the former Hyde man was foiled by Tim Mullock in the home goal.

Heald took a while to find his feet after missing the last few matches through injury, but he began put in some telling runs down the flank. Lee Duffy also got forward well but Boro couldn't force a clear opening.

There was a scare when Danny Hurst came to collect a long free-kick but mishandled, and James Price had to save the day by hooking the ball off the line and behind for a corner.

Foster then fired over from Denney's head down before bringing another save out of Mullock after being put clear by Carden.

At the other end Jamie Milligan brought a fine block save out of Hurst as Hyde began to flex their muscles, but a superb Boro move involving five players saw Battersby's cross-shot blocked for a corner.

Milligan fired a 25-yard effort just over as the half came to a close, but it was Boro who started the brighter after the break.

Within a minute Heald almost opened the scoring when his driving run and shot thumped against a post, with Mullock beaten.

However, Boro fell for the sucker punch in the 51st minute when a long ball was headed down and John Gaynor's 25-yard drive squirmed through Hurst's grasp.

The gangling Matty McNeil was beginning to cause the Boro defence problems and his partnership with the bustling Dale Johnson threatened, as the ball was pumped forward.

Price had to track a long run by Johnson and his timely tackle denied Hyde a second goal, while at the other end Foster was denied when his goal-bound header from Duffy's cross hit a defender.

Hyde's more direct style paid dividends in the 62nd minute with a hotly disputed goal.

Hurst came to collect a cross but lost out to McNeil and the ball looped into the net.

However, Hurst claimed he had been fouled and had to be treated for a facial injury, but referee Morbin simply waived Boro's protests away.

The response was to send on substitutes Ciaran Kilheeney and Rory Patterson, but Hyde were now well in control.

Boro had lost their earlier crispness despite pushing men forward, and they were woefully exposed in the 78th minute when McNeil latched onto a long ball and drilled it past Hurst for the third.

Johnson hit a shot wide and substitute Carl Barrowclough went close with a volley, but it was McNeil who posed the greatest threat.

Boro almost pulled one back when Duffy shot wide from Patterson's probing run, but it was the home side who claimed the points.

Not for the first time Boro's clever passing proved ineffective. There was no end product as they struggled to find the final ball to create a clear opening.

Hyde, on the other hand, were much more direct, playing to their strengths and Boro's defence found their style difficult to combat.

BORO: Hurst, Duffy Battersby, Kelly, Heald, Hill, Wilson, Carden, Denney, Foster, Price. Subs: Kilheeney (for Foster, 65), Patterson (for Hill, 65), Sampson (for Carden, 70)

IAN HANNAY

Simon Carden, who is attracting attention from Conference North strugglers Stalybridge Celtic, battled away but was out-muscled by Hyde's more direct approach.

P W D L F A Pts

Workington... 10 8 1 1 24 5 25

Hyde United... 10 6 4 0 18 6 22

Leek Town... 10 6 3 1 25 12 21

Whitby Town... 10 5 3 2 15 16 18

Burscough... 9 5 2 2 23 20 17

Witton Albion... 9 4 4 1 13 7 16

Prescot Cables... 9 4 1 4 16 16 13

RADCLIFFE... 10 3 4 3 11 12 13

Bamber Bridge... 10 4 1 5 14 20 13

Ossett Town... 10 3 3 4 16 14 12

Spennymoor Utd... 9 3 3 3 13 16 12

Farsley Celtic... 9 3 2 4 14 10 11

Lincoln United... 9 3 2 4 13 11 11

Matlock Town... 9 3 2 4 16 19 11

Wakefield-Emley... 9 3 2 4 16 22 11

Guiseley... 8 2 4 2 13 13 10

Bridlington Town... 10 2 4 4 13 14 10

Blyth Spartans... 10 2 3 5 11 15 9

Gateshead... 9 2 2 5 9 20 8

Marine... 10 1 4 5 7 16 7

Bishop Auckland... 9 1 3 5 10 15 6

Frickley Athletic... 10 0 5 5 7 18 5