Evo Stik Division One North
Hyde United 2-0 Tadcaster Albion
Former Garforth striker Curtly Martin-Wyatt is beaten in the air by Tadcaster defender Gregg Anderson
Goals in each half from Phil Dean and Chris Amadi saw Hyde take maximum points at Ewan Fields on the 3g surface.
It denied Tadcaster a dream start to their historic debut season in the Evo Stik League.
The Tigers didn’t take long to adjust to their new artificial pitch as Phil Dean kicked off the season with a stunning strike from 25 yards which flew past former York City goalkeeper Michael Ingham.
The Brewers then woke up and had a really good chance to level the match in the 14th minute as Tom Corner’s crisp pull back was coolly dummied by Josh Greening to Jason Mycoe who struck off target from the edge of the penalty area.
After a ‘rabbit in the headlights’ opening five minutes, Taddy started to gain a real foothold in the contest and came close again in the 24th minute.
Josh Greening diverted Steven Jeff’s inside ball to Tom Corner who took a touch and unleashed a rocket from 30 yards which Forth saved well.
The towering presence of Chris Amadi was proving to be a nuisance up front for Hyde as he saw his downward header comfortably held by Ingham.
The Brewers were creating plenty of chances of their own and were getting increasingly closer to finding the net.
Conor Sellars nipped inside on the left wing and curled in a gorgeous ball across the face of goal to which Tom Corner got the faintest of touches to but could only find goalkeeper Forth with the goal gaping.
Darren Kelly’s side were looking confident and assured in possession with the enigmatic James Cadman and the powerhouses of Amadi and Martin-Wyatt, but The Brewers created more chances in the first half.
Conor Sellars came within a matter of inches of equalising on the stroke of half-time, but the former Middlesbrough midfielder saw his bending free-kick shape agonisingly wide of the left-hand upright.
The Tigers started the second half identical to the first as they doubled their lead on 49 minutes.
James Burke had the time and space to look up and pick out for me FC United man Chris Amadi who headed in at the back post.
This called for the home side to sit back and get bodies behind the ball which allowed The Brewers to have a go at the Manchester based side.
It wasn’t long before the chances began to flow once again, this time Tom Corner squandering a two quick fire half chances after screwing across goal and heading over.
Tadcaster’s biggest chance to get back into the game came on 70 minutes. Jason Mycoe split the Hyde defence apart with a superb through ball to set Rob Youhill in clear on goal. The winger opted to go round the goalkeeper but Forth kept his nerve and pounced onto the ball.
In the end Hyde held on for their first victory under the tenure of Daz Kelly however, plenty of positives for Taddy boss Billy Miller to take into Tuesday night’s home clash with Ossett Albion.
The Team
Tadcaster Albion: Ingham, Barrett, Jeff (Shepherd 76), Milne, Anderson, Youhill, Sellars, Mycoe (Ibrahimi 76), Beadle, Josh Greening, Corner (Morgan 85). Subs Unused: Murphy, Binns.
Thanks to Jay Taylor for this report.