SMJFL - Under 13's Division 2 Match Sunday 8th April 2004 Venue: Away

Hyde United	8 - 0	Hazel Grove Utd U13's

Grove set off on their travels today, their first midweek game of the season was away to high flyers Hyde United. A punishing scoreline reflects that the game meant a lot more to the home team than it did for Grove. The lad's have avoided the drop and are now certain of second division football next season.

Hyde are a well organised side and played some terrific football at times on a carpet of a pitch.

Grove never really got started in the first half and found themselves one down after 12 minutes. With John playing his first game since coming back from injury, and match fitness an issue, he found himself beaten for pace as the Hyde attacker surged into the box and give David no chance in goal.

Minutes later and it was two nil, this time a headed goal from a ball across the box. A third came from a poor goal kick by David, a Hyde player was quick to react and ran on into the box to score.

A mistake at the back by John, when caught in possession resulted in Hyde's fourth. A hapless David could only watch on as Hyde notched a fifth goal before half time. Apart from a couple of chances, the first a shot into the side netting by Scott and the latter a corner fired in by Craig that had to be punched clear by the keeper, Grove showed little penetration upfront in the first half. Lucas' promotion to centre forward also bore no fruits and he looked a little at sorts at times.

A depleted side meant no substitutions, so the same eleven continued the second half. A better second half saw Grove restrict Hyde to just three more in the game. A gutsy performance by Danny in defence and an energetic Andy Shepherd on the left wing helped Grove's cause, but more notably a terrific display in goal earned David a deserved man of the match award. Grove's best chance of the game came with just minutes remaining. The Hyde defence attempted to spring an offside trap, only to leave Scott unmarked and able to shoot. His shot beat the keeper but the ball hit the post and rebounded back into his hands.

Noticeable absentees meant a below par turn out for Grove, but credit must go to their opponents who showed why they are heading for promotion to the first division. Bring on Apollo next week!

SQUAD: Sadler,Mills,Morrey,Banton,Cork,Shepherd,Adshead,Bridges,Elwers,Reeves,Denny

Man of the Match: Dave Sadler
(Match reporter: Lee Elwers)