Laaandon 0.... Hull city boys 2 please log in to view this image Hornets fall to defeat against Hull City... WATFORD fell to their first league defeat after the season, as they lost 3-1 at Clarence Park to an impressive Hull City side. Bernard Mensah had given Harry Kewell’s side the lead in the first-half, but three goals without reply gave the visitors all three points in the Under-21 Professional Development League. Watford began with Rene Gilmartin in goal, and he was shielded by first-year professional Alfie Young at right-back, the experienced duo of Essaid Belkalem and Tommie Hoban in the centre of defence, with a trialist at left-back. In front of them sat captain Jorell Johnson and Connor Smith in the middle of the pitch, with Mahlondo Martin and Dennon Lewis on the wings. The dangerous duo of Bernard Mensah and Alex Jakubiak started up front for the Hornets, as they lined-up in a 4-4-2 formation. The Golden Boys started the game in impressive fashion, and nearly took the lead after seven minutes. Great play by Jakubiak saw him beat the right back and cut the ball back to strike partner Mensah, but his first time shot was well saved by Erik Bukran in the Hull City goal. The pressure continued and Watford’s bright start was rewarded on 12 minutes. Connor Smith showed fantastic feet and strength to burst through the middle of the Hull City midfield, and his excellent pass sent Mensah free. The striker made no mistake this time, as he coolly slotted past the onrushing keeper. However, Hull City bounced back well and drew level just five minutes later. Watford failed to clear their lines, allowing Hull winger Jarrod Bowen to whip an early cross across the face of the Watford goal, where fellow winger Will Annan was waiting at the back post to finish well. Home keeper Rene Gilmartin was then called into action, making a fantastic save to deny a powerful long-range strike from visiting midfielder Max Clark However, Gilmartin was powerless to stop Hull on 26 minutes, as their pressure was rewarded with their second goal of the evening. More hesitant defending from the Hornets allowed lively visiting striker Johan Ter Horst to finish superbly into the far corner past an exposed Gilmartin. The next chance of an action packed first-half fell to Hornets striker Alex Jakubiak. A great ball by Mensah released Mahlondo Martin down the left flank and the winger did well to find Jakubiak inside the Hull area. However, the striker could only drag his shot wide of the post when he really should have tested Bukran. Watford nearly drew level in the last minute of the first-half, but Dennon Lewis saw his powerful effort comfortably saved after a good run by the winger. Hull began the second-half much the way Watford started the first, and Jarrod Bowen was close to extending the Tigers lead on 50 minutes, but his header went narrowly wide of the far post. However, the first clear cut chance of the second-half fell to Hornets centre back Tommie Hoban on 54 minutes. A dangerous free-kick whipped in by Dennon Lewis found Hoban free at the back post, but he could only direct his header straight at Bukran. In an end to-end-game, it was Bowen again who had the chance to increase the lead just a couple of minutes later, but this time his powerful header was straight at Gilmartin. It took Hull until the 75th minute to increase their lead, after a period where neither team was really able to take control. Gilmartin failed to hold a long range effort, and it was visiting striker Taylor Tombides who reacted quickest to prod the ball home from close range. Watford were unable to respond, with Hull City deservedly securing an entertaining 3-1 victory at Clarence Park. HORNETS: Gilmartin; Young (Trialist, 70), Hoban, Belkalem, Trialist (Doherty, 45); Lewis, Johnson (c), Smith, Martin; Mensah, Jakubiak Subs not used: Gartside; Mason, Stevens HULL CITY: Bukran; Lenihan, Aimson (c), Clappison, Townsend; Clark, Dixon, Bowen, Annan; Tombides (Olley, 80), Ter Horst Subs not used: Saltmer, Clackstone, Rodgers, Batty
Good win that, it is good to see now they are really finding out what level the U21 are at, and so far it looks favourable.
That's the assistant referee's flag. That assistant referee was quite aggressive with players who complained about his decisions. There was also two instances of pushing and shoving by the players in the second half. In the second instance the referee - who was the smallest man on the pitch - nearly got knocked over when he tried to keep the players apart.
He made some good saves The Watford goal came from their player getting through with only him to beat and I didnt think he came out fast enough. He seemed to just stand a few yards out and spread his arms and legs.
http://www.hulltigersacademy.com/news/u21s-report-watford-1-hull-city-3? The Under-21s came from behind to record an impressive 3-1 victory over Harry Kewell’s Watford side at St Albans City on Monday night. Bernard Mensah had given Harry Kewell’s side the lead in the first-half, but goals from Will Annan and Johan Ter Horst ensured the young Tigers led 2-1 at the break, with Taylor Tombides completing the scoring with 15 minutes remaining to ensure Tony Pennock’s side claimed thier first league win of the season at the second attempt. Pennock made two changes to the side that opened the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace seven days earlier with Brian Lenihan coming in at right back for Josh Clackstone whilst Matty Dixon replaced Greg Olley in midfield. It was the hosts who created the first chance of the game when they broke down the left and as the ball was pulled back Erik Bukran produced a good save low to his right to turn Bernard Mensah’s shot round the post. However, Mensah made no mistake in the 13th minute when he was sent clear down the right channel, before cutting inside to slot the ball past Bukran and into the bottom corner. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to get back on level terms, though as they equalised just four minutes later. Conor Townsend did well on the left and Jarrod Bowen’s cross found Will Annan who rifled a right foot shot into the roof of the net. City were within inches on taking the lead when Max Clark struck a superb left foot shot from outside the box towards the top corner of Rene Gilmartin’s net but the Hornets keeper produced a great save to tip the ball onto the post. From the resulting corner Will Aimson sent a header onto the roof of the net. The Tigers weren’t to be denied, though and deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes courtesy of Ter Horst’s first goal of the season. Townsend’s cross from the left eventually fell to front man, who turned well inside the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. Watford had a couple of chances to level before the break but Alex Jakubiak scuffed a shot wide and Bukran beat out Dennon Lewis’ goalbound strike. The Tigers started the second period well with two chances falling to Dixon on the edge of the box. The first was blocked by the Hornets defence and the second was saved by Gilmartin. Bowen then met Lenihan’s cross from the right but sent his header just the wrong side of the post. Pennock’s side had an escape when Watford were awarded a free-kick out on the right and Tommie Hoban was left totally unmarked but the centre-back headed straight at Bukran. Back at the other end Bowen met an Annan cross from the right but his powerful header was straight at Gilmartin. Taylor Tombides saw a shot saved by Gilmartin but the Australian did get his name on the scoresheet with 14 minutes remaining, putting the result beyond doubt when he netted for the second successive game. A powerful run from Townsend ended with a low drive that Gilmartin spilled into the path of Tombides, who fired home from the rebound. A dazzling run from Bowen almost brought a fourth goal for the Tigers as he surged into the box only to see his shot blocked by Gilmartin. The rebound fell to Clark on the edge of the box but his well-executed strike hit the crossbar and flew over. The Tigers were not content to sit on their two-goal lead in the closing stages and Bowen met a Clark corner at the near post but his header flew narrowly wide before another Clark effort from distance flew just past the angle of post and crossbar. Hull City: Bukran, Lenihan, Townsend, Clark, Aimson, Clappison, Annan, Dixon, Ter Horst, Tombides (Olley 80), Bowen. Subs Not Used: Saltmer, Clackstone, Rodgers, Batty. Watford: Gilmartin, Young (Orsi-Dadono 71), Greenidge (Doherty 46), Johnson, Belkalem, Hoban, Martin, Smith, Jakubiak, Mensah, Lewis. Subs Not Used: Gartside, Mason, Stevens.
Thanks Pete, the academy changes are already showing some promise I think. It's good to read reports and see piccys from things like this.
Seems very much like, for the first time in a very long time, that we have some very good youngsters coming through.
