Category: Match Report

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Rotherham Utd Review and Stoke City Preview – Kathryn Batte

By Kathryn Batte
Three Points Never Seemed So Good: Irvine the star at Rotherham as City Look to Extend Unbeaten Away Run at Strugglers Stoke
 
Things change quickly in football. Despite the physical demands, that games come thick and fast in the Championship means players have the opportunity to put right a bad performance or result. That’s exactly what the Tigers did on Tuesday night, securing their first three points of the season with a 3-2 win at Rotherham.
 
Nigel Adkins’ team didn’t get off to the start they wanted, however, and it was once again their defensive frailties which handed the home side the lead. Failing to deal with a simple set piece into the box, City were 1-0 down after 16 minutes when Richard Wood rose highest to head past Marshall. The score-line was harsh on Adkins’ men who had played some good football prior to conceding. Markus Henriksen’s 30-yard strike had produced a good save from goalkeeper Marek Rodák and Reece Burke fired over after Dan Batty’s shot was well blocked.
 
The Tigers pulled themselves deservedly level when Evandro played a delightful ball over the Rotherham defence for Jackson Irvine to finish well at a tight angle. It was down the left-hand side where City looked most dangerous in the first half and they managed to take advantage just before the break. Frazier Campbell met Eric Lichaj’s cross to deftly place the ball into the far corner of the net to put the Tigers 2-1 ahead.
 
After throwing leads away in the first two games of the season, it was important for City to make sure they didn’t concede early in the second half. It got even better for the Tigers when Irvine got his second following a neat counter attack. Campbell did well to hold off his man before feeding Bowen who played in the Australian to make it 3-1. Bowen continued to cause the home side problems and had a good chance to make it 4-1 shortly after but Rodák produced a fine double save to keep out the winger and then Will Keane at the rebound.
 
Old demons returned with 15 minutes to go as Rotherham made it 3-2 to ensure a nervy finish for Adkins’ team. Failing to stop a cross into the box, Jordy de Wijs was beaten to the first header and Jamie Procter got in-between Burke and Todd Kane to win the second and put his side back in it. City looked vulnerable as the home side piled forward, but the 1225 away fans stepped up the noise with the Tigers manager giving them every encouragement. After Semi Ajayi missed a great opportunity to level the scores deep into stoppage time, City just about crawled over the line to secure their first victory of the season.
 
The reaction when the players went over to greet their supporters at the full-time whistle was much different to the reception they received following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers. Whilst being far from the perfect performance, with obvious defensive issues very much still a concern, Nigel Adkins’ side showed they had a bit of fight in them and a willingness to work for each other to get a result. They were helped by Rotherham’s missed chances and as Jackson Irvine said in his post-match interview, this was a game they expected and ought to win.
 
One area City have to improve in is defending set pieces and balls into the box. Tomorrow they travel to a Stoke side who are yet to win this season and suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to newly promoted Wigan on Wednesday. However, memories of Peter Crouch scoring with almost his first touch at the Britannia Stadium two years ago risk being repeated if the Tigers fail to tackle their defensive weaknesses. The Potters were tipped by many to be title contenders this season but have struggled to adapt to life in the Championship after 11 years. This is arguably a great chance for Adkins’ side to extend their unbeaten away run but the pressure is on Gary Rowett who will be desperate to end their miserable start to the campaign. 
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Hull City AFC v Blackburn Rovers – Kathryn Batte preview

By Kathryn Batte
The Rovers Return: City looking for first win against Blackburn
 
After progressing to the second round of the Carabao Cup following a penalty shoot-out victory over Sheffield Utd on Tuesday, Nigel Adkins will be hoping his side can continue that form into the league for the visit of Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.
 
The newly promoted side also won during the week, thumping League 2’s Carlisle United 5-1, and have started life in the Championship promisingly. An opening day 2-2 draw away to Ipswich Town showcased their attacking capabilities and only a fine goalkeeping performance from Millwall’s Jordan Archer stopped them from taking maximum points last Saturday. Rovers’ Bradley Dack was voted League One Player of the Year last season and has three goals in his last three games. Adam Armstrong, who signed from Newcastle at the end of the transfer window following a successful loan spell last season, scored twice on Tuesday and has the potential to cause the City defence problems.
 
A familiar face will also be making a return to the KCOM tomorrow. Danny Graham, who spent half of the 2013/2014 season on-loan to the Tigers, scored 13 goals for Blackburn last year but is yet to get off the mark this campaign. Graham only managed one goal in black and amber in what was a frustrating spell for the striker. However, the forward has a habit of scoring against his former teams with his only goal for City coming in a 1-0 away win against his old club Swansea.
 
Whilst Blackburn have shown they can score goals, Adkins will be encouraged by his side’s last two defensive performances. Following a poor start against Aston Villa, defender Jordy de Wijs was much improved against Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday, as was goalkeeper David Marshall who also produced some fine saves in Tuesday’s cup tie. There may be an injury concern over Reece Burke, who was forced off early in the first half on Tuesday, but Angus MacDonald would be a capable replacement should Burke be ruled out.
 
A first league goal for Fraizer Campbell last Saturday was encouraging and it’s hard to argue with the striker’s claim that this is the fittest he’s been in a long time. Jon Toral could have played his way into the starting XI following his midweek performance and Jackson Irvine may also have staked a claim. With City facing Rotherham next Tuesday, you feel that Adkins should be aiming for at least 4 points from his side’s next two games if they are to have any ambitions for this season. Both may be newly promoted sides but seem to possess a certain team camaraderie and City will have to prove if they take the lead, they can hold on to it.
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Opinion – Ipswich (H)

Hull City 2 Ipswich Town 2 by The Football Widow

I’m not going to talk about football but more of the ambience and my observations of the ups and downs of 90 minutes! I am after all the football widow, following the dedicated writing of my husband’s book ’46 and counting…a family journey’. So in no way I am qualified to do so!

With Saturday afternoon upon us, we visited my mum, a big football fan, who even though has advanced dementia, still raises a smile at the mention of her hero King Kenny! As we left we asked her to cosmic order for the team and fans today, cosmic ordering I should explain is known as positive thinking, power of visualisation what you want. A difficult concept for my husband and son to understand in these current Hull City times. Our opponents today were Ipswich, (more fondly known as Light-switch town in our family, erroneously named by Tom in his infant football days!!)

It was the first game following Remembrance Sunday, it amazes me that some people don’t have the decency, compassion or understanding to hold their tongues for a solitary silent minute!

The last time I watched City I likened the performance to participants on an outward bound course, seemingly flung together and lacking the solidarity and component of a gelled team. But they won 6-1, as I said what do I know, I’m just the football widow! To be honest I’d had a couple of large glasses of wine and if we won, the promise of tea in Shoot the Bull was on the cards, so I wasn’t really too fussed as long as the score was favourable. A loss would only mean in a grumpy household and a bag of chips at best.

After only 3 minutes, the home fans were chanting to politely ask the owners to move on! I didn’t join in, I was enjoying today’s Hull Pie…steak and chorizo, a winter warmer if ever there was one! Worth the effort of trying to eat this culinary delight with a plastic fork, when in ‘Ull – the city of culture and all that!

Before the end of my pie we were 1-0 down. But on 34 minutes, we were back in the game with an equaliser from Bowen. This came at the right time, we were just beginning to feel the chill, and this lifted the atmosphere from despair to elation. Not long after half time we went 2-1 up! I chuckled to myself as at 67 minutes we made a substitution, Grosicki going off. Many of the fans stood up and applauded. How lovely this must this be for a player, I wonder if the same will happen when the night nurses show up for their 12 hour shift at Hull Royal Infirmary this Saturday night?

Once more despair fell and they were awarded a penalty, I told my husband not to worry and I quickly cosmic ordered, and assisted McGregor in saving the ball! No sweat! Most of the 15,526 (as if!) stayed until the end but by god you couldn’t half feel the draft after the mass exodus when the inevitable and now to be expected late equaliser went in to square things up at 2-2. So very sad to see so many empty seats at the KCOM.

My summary of today, watching Hull City sober is not for the faint hearted!

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Match Report: Hull City U23’s v Burnley U23’s

Hull City u23 v Burnley u23

Professional Development League

Eon Visual media Stadium

25 September 2017

City’s under 23 development side were coming into this match following back to back victories against Cardiff City (1-2 away) and Coventry City (2-1 home) and hopes were high that it could be three games on the trot. The game was very competitive but with neither side able to break the deadlock it ended 0-0.

The match saw the return of Adam Curry after a ten month injury lay off and allowed Robbie McKenzie to move back to midfield to take the place of suspended James Weir. Adam got a good 45 minutes under his belt and was replaced at half time by Tom Dyson, with Robbie McKenzie reverting to the centre of defence.

The visitors had a famous name on their team sheet with Anders Lindegaard, the former Danish International goalkeeper, between the sticks. Lindegaard probably being best known as a reserve keeper at Manchester United who managed a handful of first team appearances in the four seasons he spent there.

The first half started brightly with both sides playing crisp passing football and creating chances.

Burnley nearly struck first with Callum Burton doing well to push a shot from outside the area, by Harry Limb, over the bar.

Adam Curry got free from his marker and headed a Dan Batty free-kick wide of the post for City. Curry was then given a yellow card when after tracking back he brought down Limb outside the box. Dwight McNeil put the resulting free-kick wide of Burton’s right hand post. Then Curry was back in the action at the other end rising well at a corner only to head wide.

Lindegaard made a number of fairly comfortable saves from Hamilton, Luer and Olley the last seeing great combination work from Fleming, Hamilton and Hinchcliffe.

Burnley made a few decent breaks into the City half, the best seeing Limb waste a good chance from a cross by Ali Koiki from the left.

Tyler Hamilton was having a great game dictating play from midfield and came close with a short that went narrowly over Lindegaard’s bar.

The second half was a scrappy affair with City trying to dictate play and Burnley seemingly happy to contain them and break down play. Consequently there were fewer clear cut chances for either side.

Greg Luer headed a cross wide and Ben Hinchliffe hit a ball which may have been a cross or a shot but these were half chances at best.

The best chance of the half came from Hamilton producing a storming break from the left side of his own half diagonally to the Burnley right beating a couple of defenders and slotting an excellent pass to Greg Luer who sliced his shot wide.

Burnley’s only real chance in the second half fell to Tinashe Chakwana who shot low and wide from the edge of the box.

Batty had the chance to grab a late winner from a layoff by substitute Liam Edwards on the edge of the box but this produced a comfortable save from the experienced Lindegaard.

Overall a good all round performance from the team with Hamilton excelling. A clean sheet is always welcome but if they had shown a bit more composure and quality in the final third there were enough openings to create a victory.

Hull City u23 0 Burnley u23 0

Hull City

Callum Burton, James Yates, Brandon Fleming, Robbie McKenzie, Josh Clackstone, Adam Curry (Tom Dyson 46), Tyler Hamilton, Dan Batty, Greg Luer, Greg Olley, Ben Hinchliffe (Liam

Edwards 75). Unused substitutes: Charlie Andrew, Ellis Barkworth, Tom Powell.

Burnley

Anders Lindegaard, Arlen Birch, Ali Koiki, Mark Howarth (Jamie Thomas 76), Harry Flowers, Oliver Younger, Tunde Bayode (Khius Metz 58), Fredrik Ulvestad, Harry Limb, Tinashe Chakwana, Dwight McNeil (Rahis Nabi 76). Unused substitutes: Aiden Stone, Christian N’Guessan.

Report by Pete Fleming