HYDE v WOKING – Pick: 1 – 01 December 2012

Hyde seek to extend their good home run

National League Tips

Football – England – Blue Square Premier

Saturday 1st December 2012 – Kickoff:  1500hrs

Next stop is Cheshire as I take a look at Hyde against Woking in the Blue Square Premier, and the hosts will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run and climb out of the relegation places.

Despite sitting in 21st place and occupying one of the four relegation spots, Hyde have made a significant improvement in form in recent weeks as they’ve lost just once in their last six matches (a 2-3 loss at Ebbsfleet United) and are six matches unbeaten at their Ewen Fields ground. In fact, Hyde pulled off one of the shocks of the season so far when they defeated league leaders Newport County away from home 3-1 week before last which contributed to Newport losing their place at the top of the division.

After a slow start to the season on home soil, Hyde have pulled their socks up and have recorded wins over Hereford United 5-2, Tamworth 2-1 and new league leaders Grimsby Town 3-2 as well as holding Nuneaton Town, Gateshead and Alfreton Town to draws and their home record now stands at  3-4-2  15/13. Experienced striker Phil Jevons (9 goals, 1 assist) leads their goalscoring charts and he has forward Scott Spencer (6 goals, 5 assists) in support although he didn’t feature against Alfreton.

Midfielders Alex Browne (4 goals, 4 assists) and Ryan Crowther (4 goals) have also contributed well so far and Hyde have proved over the last six or seven weeks that they are a tough nut to crack now at home.

Despite being four places and three points above Hyde in the BSP, visitors Woking are enduring a rough spell of form right now having not won for four matches and indeed have won just twice in their last ten matches. Away from home their record stands at  2-1-7  13/24 and they’ve lost three of their last four on their travels which were 0-1 at AFC Telford, 1-2 at Gateshead and 1-5 at Grimsby Town.

Funnily enough, they too beat Newport County away from home but this result was rather the exception to the rule as they’ve also lost at Wrexham, Forest Green, Mansfield Town and Hereford United. Having conceded 24 goals on the road so far, Woking possess the worst defensive record in the BSP on their travels.

Hyde have put in some good performances in recent weeks and they are a tough unit to break down especially at home these days, so I’ll take the home side for a win at a good price. Hyde could edge this one 2-1.

Pick:  Hyde straight win @ 2.40 Bet Victor