please log in to view this image The Under-21s are back in U21 Professional Development League 2 action this evening when they face Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium (KO 7pm). Tony Pennock’s Development Squad come into tonight's match looking to continue an impressive run of form that has seen them register five victories in their last six games in all competitions, including last week’s U21 Premier League Cup semi-final win at Huddersfield Town. The Tigers currently sit third in the league table, 11 points behind joint leaders Sheffield United and Huddersfield. Colchester, meanwhile, are in a decent run of form themselves having won five of their last seven games, although they did suffer a 3-2 defeat away at Cardiff City in their last league outing. The Us are third in the U21 Professional Development League 2 South table, two points behind second-placed Millwall and ten points behind leaders Charlton.
Andrew Firth is a new name on me. Guessing he's this Liverpool keeper... http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/181685-meet-the-academy-andrew-firth
Trialist I would think. Saw that he he played for Huddersfield stiffs the other week so must be getting touted round.
The Tigers’ Under 21s went down to a narrow defeat when they were beaten 1-0 by Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Monday night. Tony Pennock made four changes to the side that reached the Under 21 Premier League Cup Final with a penalty shoot-out victory at Huddersfield. Trialist keeper Andrew Firth took over from Rory Watson, Josh Clackstone replaced Brian Lenihan at right back and Dan Batty came in for Robbie McKenzie in midfield. With skipper Max Clark missing through injury, Greg Olley dropped back into midfield and also took over the captain’s armband, with Ben Hinchliffe coming into the side. The hosts created the first chance of the game but Macauley Bonne fired over from the edge of the box. Tom Lapslie then sent his effort high and wide before the Tigers’ first chance came when Will Annan released Johan Ter Horst but he fired wide of the near post from a narrow angle. Colchester were then awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but Louis Dunne sent his left foot strike narrowly wide of the post. Down at the other end the Tigers were awarded a free kick in a similar position with a similar outcome, Josh Tymon’s shot curling inches wide of the post. Pennock’s side then lost Ter Horst to a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Tyler Hamilton. Annan then appeared to be impeded by Dexter Peter as he attempted to go round the defender in the Colchester box but the referee was unimpressed by his penalty claim. Jarrod Bowen’s low strike provided an easy save for Colchester keeper Dillon Barnes and Firth was similarly untroubled by Femi Akinwande’s left foot shot. Olley then did well to win the ball in the Colchester half and release Hinchliffe but his first time effort was beaten away by Barnes. The hosts broke away from the resulting corner and Akinwande teed up Kieran Bailey but he fired high and wide from the edge of the box. However, Colchester’s next attack brought the only goal of the game in the 37th minute. Bonne’s pass found Akinwande and he fired past Firth from the edge of the box. The trialist keeper then produced a point blank save to keep out Tosin Olufemi’s close range header before the Tigers had a great chance to equalise right on half time. Batty’s free kick picked out Harvey Rodgers but he directed his header inches the wrong side of the post. Colchester had chances to increase their lead in the second half but Firth beat away a Dion Sembie-Ferris shot at his near post and Bailey sent a left foot strike from the edge of the box narrowly wide of the post. A Sembie-Ferris pull back then created a great chance for substitute Charley Edge but he shot high over the bar. The Tigers struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities in the second period until the final ten minutes. Tymon’s cross from the left found Annan who laid the ball off for Hamilton to fire over from the edge of the box. Batty then saw a shot held by Barnes before the Colchester keeper turned a Bowen drive away for a corner. The corner was cleared only as far as Tymon but he sent his left foot shot over the bar. The visitors created a final chance in stoppage time but Rodgers effort was claimed at the second attempt by Barnes. Colchester United: Dillon Barnes, Kane Vincent-Young, Tosin Olufemi, Tom Lapslie (Callum Harrison 60), Cameron James, Dexter Peter, Dion Sembie-Ferris, Kieran Bailey, Femi Akinwande (Charley Edge 63), Macauley Bonne (Jack Curtis 66), Louis Dunne. Subs Not Used: Danny Bonness, Michael O’Donoghue. Hull City: Andrew Firth, Josh Clackstone, Josh Tymon, Dan Batty, Harvey Rodgers, Ben Clappison (Lewis Ritson 76), Will Annan, Greg Olley, Johan Ter Horst (Tyler Hamilton 25), Jarrod Bowen, Ben Hinchliffe. Subs Not Used: Jonathan Saltmer, Luke Lofts, Mark Kelledy. http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/...t-colchester-3020518.aspx#URFCQshdr5VZ3QzA.99
