Wow! No wonder Hyde United have been in financial difficulties of late. They've got four stands in their ground! And a stage in their clubhouse with tinsel and stuff! And an electronic board that lights up when they make a substitution! Fantastic! It was like going to the Nou Camp or somewhere! Proper good! Come on, get that electronic board out again…`Let's all have a disco…Let's all have a disco!' The FA Cup takes you to some posh places!
This was Hyde United's first home game since they were saved by Man City supporters filling their collection buckets to the tune of thousands of quid last week. And what a poor and quiet turnout they got. You'd think they'd gone out of existence already given the funereal atmosphere amongst their supporters.
On the other hand, Salford City's supporters had nothing to cheer. With the Moor Lane clubhouse burnt down and our zillions of new signings unable to play, bad omens were all around. But within five minutes of the kick off City, tonight in their green striped away kit, were in front, Ian Fitzpatrick zipping a shot past the Hyde goalie.
With the rain soaked pitch making control difficult, both teams chose to play up and under stuff, which didn't suit the silky ground play of the Ammies. And Hyde equalised direct from a free kick on the edge of the area. Soon afterwards they went 2-1 up but Salford refused to buckle, and could have levelled just before half time when a shot from the edge of the six yard area whipped past the post.
A half time collection for our clubhouse raised well over £100 from Hyde supporters which was brilliant but they must have put their tongues in there too 'cos they were so, so quiet even though they were winning. Ssssshhhhh…
The second half was a scrappy affair with neither side particularly dominant but Salford battled no end, urged on by a well vocal support. In the last 15 minutes the Ammies seriously began to press for the equaliser, and it was City's number 12 Martyn Andrews who got the saving goal, after the ball had bobbed around the area from a corner. Brilliant stuff and the dejected Hyde fans (who seemed dejected even before the kick off) will have to travel to Moor Lane on Saturday for the replay in the fight for the right to meet Blyth Spartans in the next round of the FA Cup. Salford City's dream lives on…
Replay: Saturday 10th October 3pm
Moor Lane, Salford
* Our picture shows an artist's impression of Salford City's second goal as we forgot to take the camera…
** Proper photos here, courtesy of Mossley Smiffy
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