A defensive mishap let Harry Bunn put the hosts in an unexpected lead, with Ben Kershaw adding another from a header in the second half. Jordan Hallam’s strike to get one back almost got the Ambers back in it, but it just wouldn’t happen for them in Greater Manchester.

The Ambers started on the ascendancy as they showed no fear while away from home and playing some neat football, with Hallam coming closest with a long range effort in the opening stages. Hyde however, letting Basford have most of the ball, threatened on the counter and came even closer with a slightly off target header from a corner.

Hyde grew into the match and a pass that caught the Basford defence off guard saw Amado again fire just inches away from the target with nobody to pounce on the ball. Both teams saw chances to break but the game ultimately became a scrappy encounter.

A breakthrough came eventually in an unexpected way as a ball whipped in the box by Bunn flew past everyone after a miscommunication and snuck its way into the bottom corner, giving the hosts the lead in the 35th minute. Bunn almost became the assister a minute later as Jordan Scanlon was played in one on one, but was denied by Kieran Preston’s close range save.

With Hyde fully in control going into the second half, it was very nearly two again as Jack Redshaw was the latest to be played in front of the Amber defence, but his shot was dragged wide. The whistle blew with Basford down by one despite having been in the ascendancy for large parts of the match.

Basford saw a lot of the ball once again as the half kicked off but couldn’t connect a crucial touch to get the ball goalwards. It eventually came back to haunt them in the 56th minute as a cross from Harry Ditchfield flew high into the box, allowing Kershaw to rise highest and send a header looping past Preston to put the Tigers up by two.

It was nearly one back from a corner as the ball made its way to Ethan Stewart in the box, but his bullet header was only denied by a quality close range save by Callum Hiddleston. The pressure continued and eventually the ball, as it pinballed around the Hyde box, fell to Hallam who made no mistake at close range, finally giving Basford the goal they deserved in the 79th minute.

The comeback came agonisingly close as a low cross from Kane Richards eluded several blue shirts in the box, before meeting Tyler Dacres at the edge of the box who could only blaze it over the bar. Chances were flying in as the Ambers threw everything at the game, but despite many close calls it wasn’t to be, and Hyde took the three points.

ATT: 445

STARTING XI: Kieran Preston, Harvey Ridgley (Nelson Aideyan, 75’), Henri Wilder (c), Josh Barnes, Victor Nirennold, Ethan Stewart, Tyler Dacres, Kacy Butterfield, Ash Chambers (Prince Mancinelli, 59’), Jordan Hallam, Rev James (Kane Richards, 59’)

SUBS (not used): Stern Irvine, Saul Deeney (GK