Our first venture into cup competition this season sees a Greater Manchester derby take place at Broadhurst Park, as we welcome Pitching In Northern Premier Division leaders Hyde United to Moston. Finn Honeywood provides this preview…
New signings
In the last 24 hours, we’ve made three new signings, who will all be in contention for a place in the squad tomorrow. Goalkeeper Charlie Casper has joined on loan from Burnley to cover while Ollie Byrne recovers from the shoulder injury he sustained last Saturday at Guiseley. Charlie is the son of ex-United youth player and current Salford City director of football development Chris Casper.
Salford City striker Robert Cleary has also come in on loan. We’re pleased to support the young Canadian’s development and thank Salford for this opportunity.
An old face from last season rejoins us in the shape of Keane Barugh. Keane left Stockport County over the summer, and we’re delighted to have him back in the fold.
Our Opponents – Hyde United, The Tigers
Hyde have made a fine start to the new Premier Division campaign, with four wins and two draws leaving Nick Spooner’s side top of the table on goal difference.
Last season, Spooner’s second full term in charge, the Tigers claimed the Cheshire Senior Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Crewe Alexandra’s youth side, while narrowly missing out on a play-off spot in the league.
Only Worksop Town have had more success in front of goal than Hyde so far this season; Jack Redshaw’s six goals see him level atop the goalscoring charts. Redshaw scored the opener in a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield on Bank Holiday Monday.
FC United Manager, Neil Reynolds said: “Nick Spooner and Gavin McCann have done an excellent job at Hyde for the last couple of years. They’ve started very well and I’m sure they’ll be challenging for promotion come the end of the season, so we’ll have to be at our best.”
Previous meetings
Last season saw the Tigers come out on top in both league games against FC, with goals from Lewis Alessandra and Matthew Fearnley seeing Hyde take the points in a 2-0 win at Broadhurst Park last November. In the return fixture at Ewen Fields in April, the hosts came from behind to win 2-1 after Charlie Oliver had put the Reds ahead.
Despite regular encounters over the last six years, this will be the first time FC United and Hyde United have faced off in a competitive fixture outside of league or county competition. The last cup tie between the two saw FC win 3-0 in the quarter-final of the Manchester Premier Cup at Ewen Fields in 2019.
Reynolds on the FA Cup: “We want to win every game, whether it’s a friendly, league, FA Cup, our aim is to win. Obviously, the FA Cup has a lot more buzz around it, but I don’t want to treat it any differently to the other competitions. Hyde are a very good team, and our only focus is on doing whatever we can to get past them.”
Familiar faces
Returning to Broadhurst Park for the first time since his departure for Fleetwood Town in January 2022 is centre-back Andrew Baker. Drew made eight appearances in League One for the Cods in the 22/23 campaign, prior to loan spells in the League of Ireland for Bohemians and Waterford respectively. Baker moved permanently to Macclesfield in January before joining Spooner’s side over the summer and has been ever-present for the Tigers so far this season.
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