Boro gunning for Hyde upset

7:53am Thursday 24th April 2008

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PETER Coyne has challenged his players to end the season on a high by springing a giantkilling on Conference North side Hyde United in the Manchester Cup Final at Boundary Park on Monday.

Boro came through a traumatic week in style with a victory on Tuesday night that all but secured their UniBond League status for another season.

After Newcastle Blue Star's shock decision to withdraw their application to leave the league last week, relegation suddenly became a major worry for Boro once again.

Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Chorley heightened those fears, but calm was restored on Tuesday night with victory at Bridlington.

It would take a catastrophic set of results for Boro to go down now, meaning Saturday's trip to Ossett Albion for their final league game of the season is free of the pressures that Monday night will bring.

"Everyone is dead chuffed that we are pretty much safe and we can look forward to the cup final," said director of football Coyne.

"We are glad we have spared ourselves relegation by doing it off our own back, and not had to rely on other teams."

Boro are up against it if they want to come away from Oldham Athletic's ground with a trophy in tow.

The Ewen Fields side are eighth in Conference North, two leagues above Radcliffe, and boast three strikers - Matthew Tipton, Gareth Seddon and Chris Simm - who have scored 53 goals between them this season.

It's a daunting task for Boro, but one Coyne does not fear.

"We are massive underdogs, but it is nice to still have something to play for after the season has finished," said Coyne.

"We will just go out there, pass the ball, enjoy ourselves and see what happens.

"We know that our mistakes are more likely to be punished against better players, but we have people with plenty to prove.

"Mike Flynn and Andy Waine are both former Hyde players, and Flynny is also playing on his former ground.

"We have got good players ourselves so let's see what happens."

Boro will have a full-strength squad to choose from for the game, providing they pick up no injuries from Saturday's visit to Yorkshire.