Hull City 1 (Francis 45)
Att. 3,360
Neil Mann started his first match for 15 months after recovering from surgery to his damaged cruciate ligaments. And he played a blinder.
City had a scare in the 3rd minute, when Paul Musselwhite was forced to tip a point blank header over the bar. Later, Ian Goodison and Musselwhite combined to clear the ball of the line after a scramble in the area. But although they spent most of the half under pressure, City held out and took a shock lead just before half time.
Lee Philpott put in a perfect free kick from just outside the corner of the area, and Kevin Francis headed the ball powerfully bast Book in to the bottom corner. The half time whistle came shortly afterward and the team went in happy.
As the second half progressed, Cheltenham had chances, but could not convert them in to goals. Paul Musselwhite made at least 3 great saves, and Neil Grayson shot wide after being put through on goal down the wing. City also had another chance, when Neil Mann shot just wide after a good through ball to him by Gary Brabin.
In the end, the one goal was enough, and City took three deserved points. yes, they have played better, but it was a good performance and they battled tremendously. Cheltenham, meanwhile, will definitely feel they should have had something out of the game, and will look back on many missed chances. But it was City who converted theirs, and won their first game since the 1-0 away win at Scunthorpe on December 2nd.
Paul Musselwhite 9
Steve Swales 7
Ian Goodison 8
Justin Whittle 8
Mike Edwards 7
Neil Mann 9
Lee Philpott 7
Gary Brabin 7
Steve Harper 7
Mark Greaves 7
Kevin Francis 9
Subs:
Lee Bracey
Jason Perry
David Brown
Clint Marcelle
Rodney Rowe 7
(for Greaves, 70)
Couldn't find the ground for ages, but a nice place. Can't remeber the name of the pub near the ground but it was pleasant for both sets of fans. Ground is Ok, but the away stand really needs a roof all the way across. But I suppose their fans could say that about our ground.