Tigers through to the next round

Hyde United made it through to the next round of the Manchester Premier Cup on Wednesday with a penalty shootout victory away to Avro. 

After a goalless first half, hosts Avro took the lead early in the second when Kyle Hawley’s deflected cross looped over goalkeeper Callum Hiddlestone and into the far corner. 

After a number of missed chances, visitors Hyde finally found an equaliser on 74 minutes when Connor Heath’s 25-yard free kick flew into the top corner and kept the game alive. 

With the scores level after 90 minutes the game would be decided by penalties. 

The match was still hanging in the balance after five penalties each, with former Droylsden forward AJ Warburton missing for the Ro and Jay Glover missing for the Tigers. 

Both sides then missed subsequent penalties before Collins Kagame converted from 12-yards, meaning Avro had to score. 

Hyde goalkeeper Callum Hiddleston then made himself the hero, keeping out Ben Thirkill’s crucial penalty to send his side through. 

Following the win, Hyde United manager Nick Spooner admitted his side were perhaps a tad fortunate to go through: 

“First half they were better team,” Spooner told Hyde United’s YouTube channel. 

“We didn’t really get out of the blocks and for the first 60 minutes we didn’t get on the ball enough. 

“Second half went a bit more direct, stretched them, and just went for it with two up top. We could have even nicked it in the last 15 minutes, even though we probably didn’t deserve to,” he added. 

This weekend sees the Tigers host 13th placed Workington.