McNiven blasts Hyde’s defending at Kenilworth Road

Hyde boss Scott McNiven was critical of his side’s defending during their 4-1 defeat at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, writes Mike Simmonds.
L13-1221 LTFC v Hyde at Kenilworth road, Luton 4:1 
Mike Simmonds
JR 42
12.10.13L13-1221 LTFC v Hyde at Kenilworth road, Luton 4:1 
Mike Simmonds
JR 42
12.10.13
L13-1221 LTFC v Hyde at Kenilworth road, Luton 4:1 Mike Simmonds JR 42 12.10.13

The visitors belied their woeful position at the foot of the table, with some excellent football during the first half and scored their first goal in over 10 hours when Steve McNulty put through his own net.

Two quickfire goals at the start of the second half from Luke Guttridge and Andre Gray saw Luton take a stranglehold on proceedings though as McNiven said: “Our first half performance was really good, the lads were full of confidence going out for the second half and then two long balls, we couldn’t defend them.

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“It’s not good enough when you come to a place like Luton. First and foremost you’ve got to defend properly, as the two goals we’ve conceded in those 10 minutes has killed us really.

“You’ve got to give yourself a platform to win the game, keeping a clean sheet or keeping it down to one is vitally important.”

McNiven had been impressed with the way his side performed though, saying: “I think the lads played some great stuff. We should have been 3-0 up ourselves, as we had four or five really good chances to go into halt time more than a draw.

“But that’s the way things are going for us in front of goal at the moment.”

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The visitors were also reduced to 10 men late on when Luke Ashworth was sent off for bringing down Gray when clean through.

A disappointed McNiven added: “I think they just crossed each others paths. He was through on goal, but he’s got another 35 yards and is going towards the corner flag.

“The referee was saying I didn’t want to do it, but he did it, so it doesn’t make any sense to what he’s saying.

“It was a cruel blow for us.”

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