Match Report: Beesley off to a winner as FC hold off Hyde to end winless run

Jordan Buckley scored a first half hat-trick as FC United claimed a long-awaited victory against local rivals Hyde United at Ewen Fields.

Hyde twice pulled goals back to keep it a close encounter, however Buckley’s dominant striking display meant FC were able to make up for their FA Cup exit at the hands of the Tigers.

FC ‘keeper Charlie Casper was immediately forced into action in the opening seconds, courtesy of the hosts’ top scorer Jack Redshaw. With barely a minute played, the Hyde ‘skipper hit a first time effort out of the sky which took a huge deflection en route to goal, with Casper getting down quickly to tip wide.

Despite Hyde having most of the ball in the final third to open the game, it would be the visitors who took the lead with their first real chance of the game in the 6th minute. A looping corner was kept alive by Charlie Oliver at the back post, and with Hyde failing to clear, it was Buckley who nodded home from close range to give the visitors an early lead.

FC doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, with Buckley scoring his second with another headed effort. Having found space in the inside right channel just outside the area, Adam Le Fondre curled in a brilliant delivery into the path of Buckley, who glanced the header low past the diving Callum Hiddleston.

In what capped off a manic opening quarter of an hour, Hyde reduced the deficit moments after FC found their second though Matthew Fearnley. After the ball was knocked down in the left flank, Fearnley set his sights from 30 yards, hitting a half-volleyed strike which caught out Casper at his near post to make it 2-1 in the 17th minute.

After a frantic start to proceedings, the game began to slow down with the Tigers resuming their control of possession. However, with FC standing firm defensively, the home side were unable to break them down, and United reaped a reward for their resolve in the 38th minute. With Hyde turning the ball over on the halfway line, quick thinking from Charlie Ennis saw Buckley sent in behind with a lofted reverse ball. The striker took one touch to keep the ball in his stride, before firing in at the near post to complete a first half hat-trick.

Mark Beesley’s side came close to a fourth shortly after the interval, with Ennis seeing two efforts denied from inside the area. Le Fondre’s cutback found the FC captain’s trailing run, with Ennis’ first shot commanding a strong save from Hiddleston. On the rebound, the midfielder’s second attempt was blocked on the line, drawing shouts of handball from the United contingent.

FC had Casper to thank yet again just shy of the hour mark, with the Burnley-loanee pulling off a stunning fingertip save to keep out an acrobatic effort by Redshaw. One of a number of important stops by Casper, whose quick reactions kept the away lead intact on several occasions.

Hyde continued to push forward with 20 to play, and pulled another goal back in the 72nd minute through a deflected effort from Redshaw. The hosts patiently moved through midfield before Redshaw eventually picked up the ball on the edge of the box, hitting a left-footed strike which nestled in Casper’s bottom left corner via the outstretched leg of Dec Evans.

Nick Spooner’s hosts swarmed forward into the final moment, yet amidst seven minutes of added on time, the FC defence remained impenetrable, dealing with all manner of corners and deliveries as time ran out. The visitors held on in the final seconds to secure a long awaited victory in the Northern Premier League, and give Beesley the perfect start to life as FC United manager.