The tigers ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over Stafford Rangers, but for the majority, it was tougher than the score line suggested. The visitors came with a game plan to stifle Hyde’s threats and make it difficult by playing long, which meant the tigers got caught up into the same game for almost 60 minutes.

But, Hyde managed to finally break through the Stafford backline on the hour mark when Cain Noble picked up a loose ball inside the Hyde half to find Pratt, who was in a perfect position to run towards goal and find Tongue who fired home from the edge of the area.

The win was practically sealed with 10 minutes remaining, as once again, on the counter attack, Lane found O’Brien who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

The second goal deflated the visitors who were 3 down a couple of minutes later when Brownhill found time to whip a ball into the box, where Dyche rose the highest to head past King in the Stafford goal.

It wasn’t to be the end of the goals there though, as in injury time, Hardacre produced an excellent ball towards the back post, which met the run of Pratt, who headed into the top corner of the goal.

By George Rothwell