september01news

14/9/01 - Mounting Injuries/Loan Player?
With the injury to Lawrie Dudfield adding to City's list of casulaties, there is a lot of speculation that Sunderland Michael Reddy will soon be brought in on loan as short-term cover. Mark Greaves is out until christmas, Rodney Rowe for a month, while Ryan Williams and Ian Goodison will hopefully return in a couple of weeks. Justin Whittle, Andy Holt and Dvaid Beresford also apparently have slight niggles, with Whittle playing the York game with the aid of a pain killing injection. It is still unclear how long Lee Philpott and Dudfield will be on the injured list. Philpott was absent from the side last night after picking up a groin strain sometime during the week.

13/9/01 - Derby County 3 Hull City 1
The Tigers bowed out of the League Cup but can hold their heads up high after a brilliant effort against a Derby side who were very fortunate to come out 3-0 victors. The scoreline definitely flattered them, as City were the better team for the first half, but crucially could not break the deadlock and then conceded a goal in the second minute of stoppage time. Dean Burton latched on to a Fabrizio Ravanelli flick on and knocked the ball past Matt Glennon, and it literally came out of nowhere - even the home supporters seemed shocked. The added 2 minutes were debatable, as neither trainer had appeared on the pitch throughout the 45 minutes. After the break, the Rams turned the screw and added a second through Georgiou Kinkladze mid-way through the half. The Georgian international finished well when through on goal to virtually seal the tie. City did match Derby after the initial 15 minutes of the half but could not find the net despite their efforts, and Deon Burton added a second with virtually the last kick of the game, again in stoppage time, again cooly finishing from inside the area. Sadly, also of note, Lawrie Dudfield limped off in the second half with a leg injury. It is as yet unknown what the severity of the injury is and how long the club's record buy will be.

The players can be proud of their performances and feel desperately unlucky to have lost by a 3 goal margin. The first goal was crucial, coming at a horrible time and after the Tigers had been the better side throughout the half. Credit must go to Derby for their finishing - Dean Burton in particular. It showed the gap between the teams, as we had chances but could not take them, and they did. However, Andy Oakes must also be mentioned, a the former City keeper was on top form, superbly denying Gary Alexander and Ben Petty in the opening 45 minutes with the score at 0-0. 4,000 supporters cheered the Tigers on all the way to the end - Now it's back to Division 3 touring and Macclesfield on Saturday, which is a slight fall from grace after the splendour of Pride Park!
Full Report H ere...

15/9/01 - Macclesfield Town 0 Hull City 0
City could not find a way past Macclesfield despite dominating the second half and had to settle for a draw at a typically wet Moss Rose today. The first half was fairly even, with the hosts having the best chance, Karl Munroe missing a good chance on the volley when unmarked. In the second, the Tigers were dominant, at one point keeping possesion of the ball nearly exclusively for about 15 minutes. But despite the constant pressure and possession, no real clear-cut chances were created, with the only best two falling to Lawrie Dudfield. But with both chances ex-Tiger Steve Wilson was on fine form, first producing a great reflex save to keep out Dudfield's header, and later grasping the former Leicester man's cross under his body as it nearly found it's way through to Gary Alexander. However, though City mostly controlled the half, Macc nearly won the game in the last minute of normal time when Rickie Lambert's free kick flew inches wide. Although we were the better side, a draw was probably fair, as we had most of the play but they had the better chances. As is customary with Moss Rose, a torrential downpour hit 5 minutes from time, soaking everyone in the uncovered terrace behind the goal. Is there ever nice weather in Macclesfield?! The big game at home to pace-setters Rochdale now follows on Tuesday night, and City will have to play better than today if they are to win. Draws against teams like Macclesfield will also have to be less frequent as the season progresses, as 3 already is not too good, with other promotion-challenging teams generally winning thse types of games.

14/9/01 - Reddy Not To Sign
The official site have revealed that due to unforeseen problems, the club have not signed Sunderland striker Michael Reddy on a month's loan in time for tomorrow's away trip to Macclesfield, contrary to earlier reports. Although it appears Lawrie Dudfield will be fit to take his place in the starting line-up, City hoped to bring in the Republic Of Ireland Under-21 International as cover. It is unknown whether he will be brought in at a later stage, as Rodney Rowe is out for a month, and until then there is no back-up available to Brian Little for Gary Alexander and Dudfield, apart from possibly playing Theodore Whitmore or David Lee up front, or drafting in Gary Bradshaw from the Youth side.

29/9/01 - Hull City 3 Halifax Town 0
The Tigers came back from Tuesday's loss to Mansfield in great fashion, winning 3-0 against Halifax with a good performance. Lawrie Dudfield opened the scoring in the first half and Michael Reddy netted twice after the break to seal a much-needed win which propels us up to 2nd in the table.
Theodore Whitmore was terriffic today, spraying the ball about magnificently and battling for the cause tremendously, covering every inch of the pitch. He was the catalyst for the first goal, playing a superb through ball to Lawrie Dudfield. The Tigers' record buy managed to get to it just before Lee Butler, knocked it round him and stroked the ball in from a fairly tight angle, showing great composure. Despite City dominating the first half, they had their shaky 15 minute spell, this time immediately after the break, allowing the Shaymen in to the game. But they regained control of the game after a couple of shaky moments and eventually added a second goal in the 74th minute through substitute Michael Reddy. Whitmore was again the provider, and his pass this time was even better; simply superb. With many Blue shirts infront of him, Tappa lifted the ball over the lot of them precisely in to the path of Reddy, who fired home brilliantly, smashing the ball off the far post. A third goal was added late on, again by Reddy, who this time headed an Andy Holt cross in to the far corner after good work from the left back.
It was pleasing to see City bounce back so well after last Tuesday's disappointment, and apart from a shaky 15 minutes after the break, they were in control throughout the match. Michael Reddy showed encouraging signs, the defence looked back to normal, and Theodore Whitmore stole the show on another good day at Boothferry Park.
You can read a full Match Report here.

26/9/01 - Reserves Win
City Reserves today beat Rochdale 1-0 at Boothferry Park, with David Lee scoring in the Second Half. Gary Bradshaw turned his marker on the edge of the area and crossed for Lee to tap in from close range on around 60 minutes. The ex Southend Midfielder will be hoping his goal and good performance will earn him a First Team place, but at the moment it seems he is being overlooked, for some reason. Surely he deserves a chance? Ryan Williams and Neil Mann both came throught the full 90 minutes with no problems, and Williams put in a very good display, depsite missing a second half penalty. He could come in to contention for Saturday's game against Halifax, but Mann will probably need a week or so longer to fully recover from his achilles injury.
Team: Musselwhite, Price, Bloomer, Burton, Bowsley, Mann, Kaveney (Peat), Lee, Williams, Bradshaw, Donaldson (Dixon)

25/9/01 - Mansfield Town 4 Hull City 2
The Tigers crashed to their first League defeat of the season tonight, being hammered by Mansfield and ending up on the end of a flattering 4-2 scoreline. Craig Disley, Bobby Hassell, Stuart Reddington and Chris Greenacre got on the scoresheet for the satgs, while Gary Alexander and Michael Reddy netted for City.
You can read a Full Match Report Here.