Hyde were made to pay for missed chances and some shaky defending, falling to a 3-2 defeat to an experienced Mickleover side. The tigers struggled against the direct and effective style of the visitors and fell behind inside the opening 10 minutes rather cheaply as Lee Hughes ghosted inside the area and his free header found the top corner.

Hyde had the majority of the ball inside the Mickleover half but were met with a resolute defence who kept a good shape, often restricting the tigers to shots outside the area, with the final ball often going astray.

In the second half, Hyde would have wanted more ruthlessness going forward but the score line was doubled almost immediately after the break when Modest got the goal he deserved when he was first to the ball, placing into the back of the net.

There was no question of the tigers’ intent going forwards, as multiple chances went begging to get back into the game. But they did find themselves within range on 54 minutes when Dan Turner unleashed a powerful shot that fired into the goal off the underside of the bar.  Hyde were then level with 15 minutes remaining when Pratt finished well at the back post.

From there, it was looking like Hyde were favourites to take all the points but Mickleover were always a threat, sending the long ball forwards quickly and asking questions of the home defence. It was the visitors who took their chance as Beavon, who led the line superbly, was allowed too much time in the box to chest to ball down and finish into the bottom corner, sealing a 3-2 win.

By George Rothwell