REPORT: Hyde United 2-2 Quorn
The Reds clung on for a point on a cold and breezy Tuesday evening in Greater Manchester. Goals for Harry Ditchfield and Brad Roscoe sandwiched a Terell Pennant brace as Quorn stretched their unbeaten streak to five.
Hyde dominated the opening 20 minutes, without creating much, but will feel they should have done better with a headed chance at the back post that flashed wide. The Methodists made rare excursions out of their own half in that early period, but gradually played their way into the match as they adapted to the pitch conditions. There was a lot of neat, intricate build-up play as the visitors began to dominate possession, but the final product was sorely lacking.
What had been a half of little impact suddenly awoke on the verge of the break as Harry Ditchfield scored from a corner in the 44th minute with a header back across goal. The Reds responded instantly as Jesse Friend flicked on a header that set Pennant off from the halfway line, outpacing two defenders and shooting low across goal into the bottom left corner to immediately equalise as the half ended 1-1.
Shortly after the break lightning struck twice as Pennant raced clear and calmly stroked this effort into the bottom right corner to give the Reds a 2-1 lead. The flying forward looked set to add a third as Quorn’s press saw them snatch possession high up the pitch. Pennant took possession on the edge of the area unmarked, but lost control on a difficult surface, allowing a Hyde defender to clear the danger. The match turned with a treble substitution from the hosts as they applied relentless pressure for the final thirty minutes.
Roscoe found acres of space for a simple tap in at the back post after some superb build-up play from the Tigers, drawing the scores level at 2-2. For all of their endeavour, the hosts couldn’t find a way through Quorn’s defence, with a thunderous strike off the bottom of the crossbar as close as they came to finding a winner. The Reds now have some much needed respite with no Saturday fixture, but the visit of Bury awaits on Tuesday evening.
