Betsy's double banishes past Hyde horror
Malcolm Wyatt
9:49am, Wed 18th Sep 2013
Hyde 0 Woking 2
Skrill Premier
17th September 2013
Memories of last term’s Tameside capitulation were well and truly put to bed by a commanding second-half performance at Ewen Fields on Tuesday night. Kevin Betsy got off the mark for the season with two timely strikes as Garry Hill’s battlers secured a much-needed win in East Manchester. The Cards’ victory not only vanquished a 7-0 drubbing last December, but also saw them rise to 18th place, while Hyde remain rock-bottom.
The experienced midfielder got on the end of two fine attacks in the closing stages of an end-to-end autumnal affair, capping an impressive second-half by the Cards. Betsy’s first goal arrived in the 74th minute, the ex-Fulham man in the right place at the right time at the back post to chest home first-half sub Anthony McNamee’s deep free-kick from the right. And while Hyde had a couple of chances to get back into the game from there, a Scott Rendell strike proved too hot to handle for home keeper David Carnell, who could only palm it across his area, with Betsy first to react, drilling confidently home.
It was no more than Hill’s side deserved for their overall endeavour, although this was no walkover, and you had to feel for the East Manchester hosts. They’ll play worse than this and get at least a point, but in a clash of two under-performing sides, Woking appeared to have more stamina and desire to succeed.
After a tentative opening, Gavin Williams was in the thick of the action, an early chance deflected for a corner from which he set up Mike Cestor, only for the roving defender to head over. Hyde had chances of their own, Tom Collins proving a particular handful, with nice touches from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe too.
But second-choice keeper Sam Beasant was well protected and certainly looked the part in the Woking goal.
Lee Sawyer proved busy, but was struggling to serve main striker Rendell, while Hyde were always quick to counter, Jack Parkinson having to juggle deep in his area to thwart one attack.
There was plenty of build–up from the hosts, but you got the feeling that confidence was an issue, no one seemingly able to apply a finishing touch.
Four minutes from the break, the Woking boss seemed to have seen enough, sacrificing Sawyer – always busy but arguably ineffective on the night - and introducing McNamee. The well-travelled winger was almost in soon after but for a poor lay-off from Williams, while Beasant again denied Collins, while Adam Newton cleared the last attack of the half.
Half-time: Hyde 0 Woking 0
It was a far more potent Cardinals that came out after the break, McNamee making that right channel his own and finally giving Rendell the service he craved.
The home team were still quick to break, Woking’s offside trap denying Collins’ next opening, while Williams drilled just wide from a visitors’ free-kick. The dependable Mark Ricketts stood his ground to deny Connor Hughes before John Nutter put Louis Almond’s follow-up behind, as the home pressure mounted. Newton headed away from the resultant corner, with Hughes again denied from the next delivery, while Cestor showed a good touch to rob Dieseruvwe.
The Tigers were increasingly stretched by McNamee’s right-wing raids, and Williams, Rendell and Betsy were noticeably afforded more space as Woking stepped up a gear. Following half-chances for Betsy, Ricketts and another Williams set-piece, Josh Payne played in Rendell, but the flag was raised.
Parkinson had to be switched on as Hyde hit the Cards on the break again, but the decisive moment was about to arrive. The catalyst was a typical Ricketts interception and incisive pass, with nice touches from Williams and Newton before McNamee was felled on the right. And from the winger’s free-kick, Betsy opened the scoring, the Hyde defence outwitted and the 35-year-old taking advantage, albeit with a somewhat untidy chested finish.
Home boss Scott McNiven changed things around, bringing Scott Spencer on, with Beasant soon at the Tigers’ mercy. He made important blocks as Almond caused confusion with a low shot, the visitors helped by another raised flag. Josh Brizell and Collins made further incisive deliveries as the Cards defence started to look uneasy, memories of recent dropped points surfacing. Parkinson had to clear off the line at one end before Rendell might have ended the agony on the counter, but was again blocked out as the action continued to flow. And while Collins couldn’t finish the next home break, impressive Cards debutant John Goddard tested Carnell after Betsy put away Rendell and he cut back to the late sub.
Then came Betsy’s decider, confidently blasting home as the keeper looked to recover from his initial fine stop from Rendell. With that, he celebrated with the handful of brave travellers behind the goal, more than making up for their earlier traffic woes.
And while Hyde fought to the last, the damage was done, the Cards having at least blocked out part of the memory of last season’s surrender.
Woking: Sam Beasant, Adam Newton, John Nutter, Mark Ricketts ©, Mike Cestor, Lee Sawyer (Anthony McNamee 41), Jack Parkinson, Gavin Williams (John Goddard 82), Kevin Betsy, Josh Payne, Scott Rendell (Joe McNerney 88).
Unused subs: Aaron Howe, Giuseppe Sole
Hyde: David Carnell, Josh Brizell, Adam Griffin ©, Will Haining, Luke Ashworth, Adam Blakeman, Louis Almond, Alex Brown, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (Scott Spencer 75), Tom Collins, Connor Hughes:
Unused subs: Adam Thurston, Matty Mainwaring, Andy Fitzgerald, David McNiven.
Cautions: Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, Adam Blakeman, Adam Griffin
Attendance: 387
MOTM: Anthony McNamee – His late first-half introduction on the right wing proved to be the inspiration that Woking needed on the night.
