Lancaster City narrowly lose to Hyde United on opening day

Lancaster City began their Northern Premier League campaign with a narrow opening day defeat on the road.

On a warm yet breezy day on Tameside, it was clear from the get go that this game wouldn’t be a slow burner.

In the opening stages of the game, Hyde bombed down the left hand side with Matt Fearnley and Jack Redshaw working well to create space and find Jordan Scanlon who was right on the line to turn the ball in on two minutes.

The game didn’t slow down after that, in a frantic opening 15 it was the hosts who continued to have the lion’s share of the chances, but the Tigers saw their lead remain at just the one goal as Scanlon went for a second in just four minutes, but Dolly Blue summer recruit Toby Oliver blocked his effort.

Lewis Thompson went for glory on the sixth minute as he let fly from distance while he hugged the sideline but Lancaster ‘keeper Brad Kelly saw it all the way.

The Dollies started to create from that point, their first real opportunity coming in the eighth minute as Nic Evangelinos, Christian Sloan, eventual player of the match Nathan Caine and skipper Sam Bailey all linked up well to tee up Lewis Mansell, he was beaten in the air but it fell to Dylan Moonan, whose effort bobbled and Yusuf Mersin retrieved the ball.

City regained possession straight away after Mersin’s kick, and Evangelinos had two attempts at goal but both were charged down by Hyde players.

Tom Pratt did well down the right for Hyde to create space for himself to aim a low cross, but no one in red could latch onto it as the hosts continued to move forward with pace.

That just moments before Lewis Mansell had a go from 30 yards out, but saw his effort fly high over the bar.

The first half would gradually become more scrappy with less chances in the game but not before some excellent defending by Dylan Thompson on 18 minutes to boot the ball away from Matt Fearnley’s feet just as the forward was about to take a shot on at close quarters.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, Kelly made two fine stops to deny Lewis Rawsthorn’s cheeky chip and then Taylor Dyson’s strike seconds later after a half-clearance.

Down the other end, Moonan forced another save from Mersin before the break, a direct free kick 25 yards out was well caught by the Tigers’ keeper who needed both hands to keep out the curling effort, otherwise destined for the top left.

Two minutes after the restart, Kelly was again called upon to save from Matt Fearnley following a defensive error, City’s number one doing well to dive to his right and then cling onto the ball.

The Dollies’ first chances of the second 45 came courtesy of some clever football from Lewis Mansell who laid it off to Nic Evangelinos from the edge of the six-yard box, but his and Lewis Coulton’s hits were cut out.

Rawsthorn almost capitalised on an undercooked pass at the back to make it two but Toby Oliver blocked his run expertly, before Tom Pratt’s cross hit the near post.

Moonan tested Mersin for a third time with an effort from medium range but the keeper was equal to it, before Pat Allington’s follow-up was blocked.

City’s changes as the stopwatch ticked over the hour mark added new threats to the side, but after Charlie Bailey threaded a low ball through to Dom Lawson on 66 minutes, the striker could only find the woodwork.

As for the hosts, Scanlon again had the chance to bag a brace on 70 minutes, he was in acres of space down the right but dragged his shot wide.

Three minutes later, Lancaster had arguably their golden opportunity: Nathan Caine zipped down the right hand side of the pitch and switched the ball to Dom Lawson, who was judged to be marginally onside, but at point blank range his effort was brilliantly saved by Mersin.

With just over 10 to play, Christian Sloan weaved his way through the Hyde defence and took a shot on but it was blocked by the last man and Lawson couldn’t follow it up.

Moments later, Brad Kelly denied Taylor Dyson direct from a free kick on the edge of the box, before Rawsthorn fired wide.

The Dollies agonisingly hit the woodwork with seven to play, as Dom Lawson and Lewis Mansell both tried to find an equaliser before Taylor McMahon frantically cleared.

Despite there being a fair chunk of added time, a leveller proved elusive for City and they went home empty handed on the opening day.

Attentions now turn to the visit of FC United of Manchester to The Giant Axe on Tuesday (August 12) with a 7.45pm kick off.