Hyde 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1

All square in part one of this gripping local Tameside derby as these two huge rivals, who occupy the top two places in the Conference North as it stands, faced up to each other on Boxing Day.

The crowd was a massive 1,868, Hyde's largest home crowd for over 15 years, and as the game began the atmosphere was intense in a packed out Ewen Fields. After 90 seconds it was the Stalybridge fans who were going wild, as former Hyde player Phil Marsh got the ball in the penalty area facing away from goal, and he turned and fired the ball into the net.

Hyde have been a real surprise package this season - they were largely expected to be in the lower half of the table after narrowly escaping relegation on the final day of last season, but instead they've mainly been top of the table since the season began, with Stalybridge always just behind in 2nd. Before this match Hyde were 8 points above Stalybridge, but Stalybridge have 2 games in hand. Four points or more from their two games against Hyde would technically put the title race in Stalybridge's hands if they can then win their games in hand.

So given this, Stalybridge would probably have been happy enough with an away win before the match. But the early goal had Hyde rattled, and Stalybridge will rue that they didn't take further advantage of this in the first half. Chances for them including a free kick saved by the keeper's feet, a number of times where the final ball was either just overhit or poorly controlled, and a massive chance for Phil Marsh when a poor clearance put him through on goal, but with just the keeper to beat he fired over the bar.

Hyde came more into the game towards the end of the first half, and finished it with a number of corners and free kicks to have the Stalybridge fans biting their nails as 4 minutes were added on at the end of the half.

Hyde came out looking much stronger in the second half and created several early half chance, including a Danny Hall header comfortably saved. Stalybridge were doing little in terms of attacking threat and they largely focused on stopping Hyde from being able to create chances. They were largely succeeding, but midway through the half Hyde had a massive chance, Stalybridge keeper Jan Budtz blocked a shot but spilled the ball straight to Scott Spencer, but with the goal at his mercy Hyde's top scorer could only fire wide.

Phil Marsh had a shot saved for Stalybridge, but Hyde were getting an increasing amount of corners, and on the 81st minute they took advantage of this. A corner from the right set up an unmarked header into the net by Gianluca Havern, a rare defensive lapse from Stalybridge costing them dearly.

Stalybridge pushed for a winner after this, and Phil Marsh could have had a great chance from close range if he hadn't miscontrolled, sending the ball into the arms of the keeper. Late on Connor Jennings weaved through the Hyde defence and from his pass a powerful Greg Wilkinson shot was caught by Hyde's keeper Carnell.

Honours even at Ewen Fields, and Hyde remain 8 points ahead of Stalybridge having played 2 extra games. The two teams face each other again on New Year's Day, 3pm at Stalybridge's Bower Fold, and another massive crowd is hoped for in part 2 of this fierce local rivalry.

Coming up...

First of all a Happy Christmas to all readers!!

On the run up to Christmas the posts on here have understandably gone a bit quiet, so just a quick update so you know this still exists!

The next games that will be reported on here for definite are:

New Years Day: Stalybridge Celtic vs Hyde (promises to be a cracker!)

Saturday 7th January - FA Cup 3rd Round - Macclesfield Town vs Bolton Wanderers  

Should be some build up for both too, stay tuned. As for the remainder of 2011, I might be at a game on Boxing Day - I'd really like to be at Hyde vs Stalybridge (as above I'm at the second part of this huge local derby, but there's a hell of a lot at stake for both games!) but the complete lack of public transport on Boxing Day makes getting from Mossley to Hyde difficult/impossible - might be forced to give it a miss.

In which case I might return to Seel Park for Mossley vs Cammell Laird - but as you'll see from match reports in the past few months from me and others, it's hardly exactly exciting football worth paying £8 happening there lately!

Bury 1 Brentford 1

A dismal match at Gigg Lane to mark Bury’s “football for a fiver” day, as the opportunity to attract some non regular fans to return was wasted by a performance that would barely be worth watching for free.

The first half in particular was a total non event as both teams frequently failed to complete even the most basic passing moves. Bury in particular were misplacing passes all over the place in a lethargic mess of a performance, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Brentford were at least creating some goal scoring chances, including a close range header tipped round the right post by the keeper, and they edged the first half and blocked out any possible opportunity for Bury to threaten. Half time 0-0.

Brentford continued to narrowly edge the game in the beginning of the 2^nd half, and they got a penalty in the 61^st minute. Diagouraga was trying to find space to shoot in the penalty area, and as he turned away from goal he fell to ground over Carrington’s outstretched leg. It was quite soft but the referee probably had to give it. Gary Alexander confidently smashed the penalty into the corner to put the away side 1-0 up.

In the period of play after this Brentford continued to create the better chances, but as the half went on they began to retreat, clearly looking to shut up shop and hang on to the narrow lead.

Bury struggled to break through, and it looked unlikely to happen when Skarz was given a second yellow card, a trip deemed worthy of a second yellow. The tackle was more clumsy than malicious, the home fans particularly irate with this decision with some still feeling aggrieved at the earlier penalty award.

Rather than try to take advantage of their man advantage by looking for the second goal to kill the game, Brentford continued to focus on defending. It appeared to be working, mainly because nothing at all was happening, and then a Peter Sweeney free kick wasn’t cleared, and in a packed penalty area John-Lewis rifled the ball into the net for a surprise 85^th minute Bury equaliser.

Brentford attempted to regain some forward momentum after this, but they seemed unable to push many players forward having so rigidly kept to a defensive system, and the game finished 1-1.

The Bury fans, most of which spent 85 minutes criticising and grumbling at how bad their team were playing, at the end of the match seemed to have completely forgotten anything that had happened before the 85^th minute leveller, as they applauded the team off as if it’d been a cracking fighting display throughout. It hadn’t – it was awful, and personally a relief that only a fiver was wasted on this boring mess of a match.

Stalybridge Celtic 2 Stockport County 1

If ever there was an example of a goal changing a game then this was it, as Stalybridge came back from 1-0 down to beat Stockport at the Bower Fold.

As Stalybridge struggled to string together a series of passes in the early stages, Stockport looked to take advantage, and they fired an early warning as a 6th minute low shot from the right edge of the penalty area hit the outside of the left post.

Soon after this Stockport went ahead. A short low pass found Shane McConville in space approaching the penalty area, and he had time to control the ball and roll it low into the net as Stalybridge's defence was easily exposed.

Stockport continued to look the better team for most of the first half without really creating any other major chances. Meanwhile Stalybridge struggled to create anything and were guilty of frequent stray passes, a 20th minute close range shot deflected wide of the right post was the only thing of note that they could managed.

This game, an FA Trophy first round replay, followed on from a 2-2 draw at Stockport's Edgeley Park ground on Saturday, and looked all set to be enthralling and full of excitement. But the first half became more and more drab and lifeless as it went on, and the half time whistle probably woke many home fans from a slumber (if they weren't kept awake by contrast shivering in the extreme cold)!

The second half began with Stalybridge playing just as poor, the main difference being that Stockport were beginning to look to take advantage of this. They started with a 20 yard shot caught by keeper Jan Budtz, and it was Budtz who kept Stalybridge in the game around the 52nd minute with an excellent triple save from 3 successive close range shots.

Stockport were clearly looking to turn the screw at this point, and it began to look like a matter of time before they got the second goal. A header from a corner was saved in the 56th minute, and a minute later a low lay off from the right set up another chance, the resulting goalbound shot blocked by a defender.

And then, with a Stockport goal looking inevitable, totally against the run of play Stalybridge levelled in the 59th minute. Greg Wilkinson had the ball on the right edge of the penalty area close to the byline, and as he was unable to cut inside he appeared to be looking for someone to cross to, but he had no options. Then suddenly he smashed a powerful shot into the top left corner for a shock equaliser.

Just like that the game completely turned. Stockport had been completely bossing Stalybridge in the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half, but as soon as that goal had gone in this reversed completely, as Stalybridge dominated from that point on. It was as though the two teams had changed shirts and played the remainder of the game as the opposite side, such was the difference in how the match went from that point on!

Stalybridge had countless shots blocked, many final balls almost but not quite giving them a breakthrough, and a number of close efforts including a Lloyd Ellams low shot just turned wide of the left post. They even almost got a goal direct from a high cross from the right in the 80th minute, the curl on it almost resulting in it creeping into the left corner, but it went just wide as the approaching players couldn't quite get a touch on it.

After Connor Jennings chipped well over the bar after being put through on goal, the game approached the end with Stalybridge running out of time to take advantage of their total dominance in the final half hour.

And then, in stoppage time, a Stalybridge cross from the left lead to a shot on the edge of the penalty area. With Stockport keeper Matt Glennon diving to the left, Jennings flicked the ball as it travelled goalwards, and it nestled in the right side of goal for a last minute winner, with the home fans absolutely delighted.

In the next round Stalybridge go to Guiseley AFC, with the optimism flowing through the club with their current 2nd place standing in the Conference North. Meanwhile that last minute goal leaves Stockport with the grim scenario of concentrating on the league, where they find themselves in a relegation place at 3rd to bottom in the Conference.

Sheffield United 3 Torquay United 2

In a game where Gary Speed was remembered as tributes poured in outside the ground, Sheffield United eventually got the win they wanted, but Torquay gave them a real scare in the first half.

After the minute's applause and other tributes, the game kicked off with a bit of an understandable sombre atmosphere. And the home fans went totally silent soon after - Torquay got an early free kick, and a flick on set up Rene Howe to slot the ball low into the bottom right corner for a surprise early lead.

Sheffield United were not at the races early on and a series of stray passes and aimless long balls had the crowd grumbling. They did manage to threaten from set pieces though, first a cross was headed wide from just outside the 6 yard area by Harry Maguire when it looked easier to score, and a super free kick by Ched Evans was brilliantly tipped over by the keeper as it headed towards the top corner.

Torquay were defending as well as you'd expect from a team who've conceded 2 goals in the previous 6 games, and Sheffield United were finding it hard to find any way through in normal play. Torquay were also counter attacking with menace and several times were one good final ball away from another goal, in particular when Howe went past the keeper, but as he was wide right the gap was too narrow to shoot, and he was unable to find one of his team mates with a pass.

Ched Evans had another effort, this time a header, again well saved, and the half time whistle went with Torquay possibly deserving their lead at that point.

Sheffield United seemed to concentrate more on pushing forward in the second half, and they were becoming more of a threat as the half went on as Torquay ended up retreating and struggling to create any attacking opportunities of their own as a result. Chances includes the Torquay keeper having to make a double save, Ched Evans hitting the post and another Ched Evans chance blocked by Mansell who threw himself in the way of the effort.

The threat was increasing, but the nature of the equaliser was harsh for what had been a strong Torquay defensive performance. In the 68th minute Matt Lowton hit a fairly aimless cross into the box, but Mark Ellis in trying to clear it away instead deflected the ball past the keeper, and it was 1-1.

Torquay barely had time to react when just a minute later Ched Evans ran at them at speed and smashed an unstoppable low effort into the bottom right corner of the net. It was a classy finish, and welshman Evans - who'd been encouraged to join Sheffield United by Gary Speed - showed a tribute to Speed on a t-shirt underneath his Sheffield one. Thankfully for once a referee showed a bit of common sense, as the ref took into account the circumstances and didn't book him.

Ched Evans had been a threat throughout, and at the age of 22, turning 23 later this month, he's looking to be really developing into a class act lately having initially struggled to find form after first joining Sheffield United. He scored again in the 78th minute, this time gifted the ball by a poor pass that went straight to him, an easy low finish into the corner made it 6 goals for him in the past 4 games, and the score was 3-1.

He could've had a hat-trick too as yet another effort fell his way, this time well saved. Late on Torquay pushed forward, and their fans had something to fall happier about as they got a late consolation goal, Danny Stevens got a through ball on the left side of the penalty area and smashed it into the bottom left corner. 3-2 it finished.

Back to the league for Torquay, but they gave a good account of themselves against a team from a division above them, especially as these two were seperated by 3 divisions just 3 seasons ago. Meanwhile Sheffield United have been drawn at home again, this time to either Salisbury City or Grimsby Town, both non league clubs, and they'll be hoping to make further progress in this competition.

Bramall Lane - Sheffield United - ground info

Bramall Lane has an all seated capacity of 32,702, and pictures of the stands follow. I was in The South Stand, which is opposite the John Street Stand, see below.

The away fans were behind one of the goals in the Bramall Lane stand:



And opposite that, unused yesterday but on league matchdays usually the cheapest stand is the Kop Stand:

Despite it's large size, Bramall Lane is situated next to streets of terraced housing, giving it a bit of a community feel. Within these is various small shops, including a sandwich bar selling excellent butties. There's also a large burger van, and programme sellers surround the ground. The programme's £2, a little thin but good content.

Tickets have a barcode on one end and the turnstiles are ones where you put the ticket in the card slot and the turnstiles unlock. Seats are easy enough to find, find the gangway letter on your ticket and at the bottom of each gangway is info of what area your seat will be in, dead simple.

For getting there by car it's that usual dilemma of being stuck in the car park for hours afterwards or parking far away and a long walk after.

The ground's well placed for going by train, Sheffield train station is around 0.7 miles from the ground and it's an easy walk along a couple of main roads. The station's quite impressive, with the path leading to it surrounded by falling water and mini fountains. In truth the rest of the walk between the station and the ground is quite dull and/or ugly, but Bramall Lane itself is very impressive and well worth a visit.

Build-up: Sheffield United vs Torquay United

Going to a match for each round of the FA Cup continues on this blog, and in the 2nd round I'm at Bramall Lane for Sheffield United vs Torquay United.

These two were 3 divisions apart just 3 seasons ago, a promotion from the Conference for Torquay at the end of the 2008-9 season coupled with Sheffield United being relegated from the Championship in the 2010-11 means this is now League One vs League Two.

Both are in the upper reaches of their tables so far, Sheffield United in the play offs in 5th place, Torquay in 10th place but just 3 points below the play offs.

Torquay are boasting a mean defence - in their away league matches they've conceded just 1 goal per game, and they've conceeded just 2 goals in their last 6 league and cup games, including their 3-1 win away at Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round.

Sheffield United haven't conceded a goal in their past 3 league and cup games including their 3-0 home win against Oxford United in the FA Cup first round. They're also scoring over 2 and a half goals on average in their home league games, and Ched Evans is the man in form for them with 4 goals in their last 3 games.

Another potential talking point for them is the re-arrival of James Beattie, who originally scored 34 goals in 62 appearances between 2007 and 2009 before moving to Stoke City. Manager Danny Wilson is trying to assess his fitness and an initial short term contract until mid January has been agreed, with some rumours that this game against lower league opposition may be seen as a good introduction for him to the first team.

In terms of FA Cup progress, last season Torquay United went one stage further than Sheffield United - Sheffield United lost 3-1 at home to Premier League Aston Villa in the 3rd round, whilst Torquay United lost 1-0 to the then Conference side Crawley Town in the 4th round. The defeat was made all the more frustrating for Torquay as Crawley got the big money televised away tie at Old Trafford in the 5th round.

The 4th round is the furthest Torquay have progressed in the FA cup, whilst Sheffield United have won it 4 times, however these were far back between the years of 1899 and 1925. Recently Sheffield United have reached the 5th round in 2004/5, 2007/8 and 2008/9, the Quarter Final in 2003/4 and the Semi Final in 2002/3.

These two have never faced each other in the history of the FA Cup.

Of course the pre match focus is rightly about Gary Speed after the news of his death shocked everyone in football on Sunday. He made 37 appearances for Sheffield United in the final part of his playing career between 2008 and 2010 before managing them for 18 games before being appointed as Wales manager. Tributes will be paid before the match, including a minute's applause and wreaths being laid pitch side. Bramall Lane flags have been lowered to half mast and fans have left their own tributes outside the ground.