We've got Bolton at the KC on Friday as well apparently, not seen anything on that one. I don't understand why we don't give away free tickets to this one, to any non-pass holder who buys a Brighton ticket.
Half time: #hcafcU21 0 Birmingham 0. #hcafc have battered a vastly more experienced side but not scored. Courtesy of Rick.
Pennock: Best Performance Of The Season Tony Pennock hailed his side’s display in Monday night’s 2-1 victory over Birmingham City as their best 90-minute performance of the season. Goals from Ben Hinchliffe and Jarrod Bowen saw the Tigers come from behind to claim a fully deserved first league win in six games. The Development Squad have dominated periods of numerous games this season, but Pennock felt this was the team’s strongest complete display of their U21 Professional Development League 2 campaign to-date. “It was definitely our best 90-minute performance of the season,” he said. “It’s been a good campaign to-date for the lads. We’ve played well in spells and periods of games this season but against Birmingham on Monday night that was the best we’ve played for a full 90 minutes in all aspects of our game. Everything we wanted our players to do as individuals and as a team, they did really well. “To a man, they were superb. I thought Harvey (Rodgers) and Ben (Clappison) were very solid at the heart of our defence. Our full-backs – Daniel Batty and Josh Tymon - were both very good with ‘Batts’ playing out of position at right-back once again at Under-21 level. “Max Clark and young Robbie McKenzie were great for us in the middle of midfield. Max is starting to show great leadership skills since being given the captain’s armband following Matty Dixon’s departure and is clearly relishing the responsibility, which is very pleasing to see. “Will Annan came up against an experience left-back in Mitch Hancox, who has played over 50 games at first-team level, and did very well – not only going forward and with his defensive duties as well. “I’m sure Greg Olley was slightly disappointed that he didn’t add to his impressive goal tally this season against Birmingham but he was another who produced a very good performance. “He had three of four really good chances but the Birmingham keeper made some really good saves to keep his side in the game – I thought he was excellent. “But the pleasing thing is that Greg was constantly getting into the positions to have shots on goal. He was a constant threat to Birmingham defence, as was Jarrod Bowen on the left-hand side. “It was great for Ben Hinchliffe, who did very well up front after coming on at half-time, to get his first goal at Under-21 level, and thankfully after all our efforts, Jarrod came up with the winner late on to secure what was a fully deserved three points.” Pennock also praised the character shown by his players after they bounced back the disappointing of conceding first against the Blues despite dominating proceedings at the Eon Visual Media Stadium. “It’s not the first time that we’ve dominated a game and ended up conceding the first goal,” he added. “We’ve been on top in plenty of games but not taken our chances and gone on to lose the game, or only get a point. “When we conceded against Birmingham, it would’ve been very disappointing for the lads out on the pitch because they’d played well and should have been out of sight by that point. “But they never let their heads drop and focused on getting themselves back into the game, which they did fantastically well. They drove on, showed great character and got the win, which was very pleasing to see.”
Good win 3-0, since the players like Dixon, Aimson etc left the younger players that came in seem to be now getting to grips with this level.
