Hyde Utd 5
Ossett Town 2

HYDE swept to the top of the UniBond League first division with a victory that was not without its tricky moments.

Clear favourites to defeat second-bottom Ossett, it needed three second half goals - and a Neil Tolson hat-trick - to sink Town.

Both sides deserved credit for trying to play football in less than ideal conditions which saw - in no particular order - sunshine, strong winds, torrential rain and hail.

The visitors began well and almost took the lead inside two minutes, but James Walshaw was inches away from turning home Rodney Rowe's scuffed shot.

Tolson and Matty McNeil went close for Hyde before the game burst into life with three goals in four minutes.

Poor defending gave Ossett the lead as Walshaw was allowed to control a header from a corner and backheel home from six yards for a 23rd minute opener.

Hyde's response was immediate though as Ian Pendlebury's cross caught Ossett's defence out and Tolson headed across Michael Clark for the equaliser.

He added a second two minutes after that, heading home Steven Clegg's cross from six yards.

With the home side dominating the first half, it was a shock when Ossett equalised right on half-time.

Trying to keep the ball, Paul Jones gifted possession to Rowe who advanced forward and powered a shot past Tim Mullock.

Jones almost made it a double error on 57 minutes, allowing Rowe an opportunity to run clear, but the striker shot horribly wide.

That was enough for boss Steve Waywell who substituted the centre-half with midfielder Andy Waine.

It reaped instant rewards as Hyde took the lead a minute later, Tolson sweeping home Craig Buckley's cross.

Any hopes that Town had of a comeback were finally dashed with 12 minutes remaining as firstly, Rob Nugent was sent off for a second booking, and from the subsequent free-kick, Waine headed home the fourth.

Victory was completed with three minutes remaining after Clark was lucky not to be sent off for tripping McNeil inside the area.

Phil Salt kept his composure to coolly slot home from the spot and seal victory for the Tigers.

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