|
Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Barrett, Chenery, Ashbee (Youngs 84'), Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Beall (Smith 68'), Butler, Kyd (McCammon 68'), Benjamin.
Booked: Campbell (foul 63').
Hull City: Wilson, Lowthorpe (Wright 88'), Rioch, Edwards, Doncel, Joyce, Peacock (Mann 69'), McGinty, Brown (Hateley 86'), Darby, Boyack.
Ref: G Singh (Wolverhampton)
Shots On Target: Cambridge 7, Hull City 6
Corners: Cambridge 3, Hull City 2
[Julie Mansfield's match report] [Hull Daily Mail report] [My summary of media reports]
Julie Mansfield's match report:
Well we lost the last game of the season,but it didn't matter.It was good to see so many people turn up for a game that didn't mean anything to either team.
The first half was pretty poor with Hull scoring in the 31st minute. Duane Darby had a shot which Scotty parried away, only for Darby to hit the rebound through his legs and into the net. The second half we started playing a lot better and if it wasn't for their keeper we would have scored about 4. He obviously got their Man of the Match award. Martin Butler had about 3 one-on-ones which the keeper managed to save. I'd say Martin Butler was our man of the match. We must give some credit to Hull who closed us down well and prevented us from playing. Just a few points:
We asked Scotty if our son could have his shirt, but they are giving them to the youth team for next season. He did promise us his gloves though. At the final whistle Scotty came from the far end of the pitch and sure enough handed his gloves to our son who is really chuffed!!!!! Here's to promotion next season........
Julie
THE closing chapter of Hull City's worst-ever league season proved a happy one. The sun shone, the crowd smiled, Player of the Year awards were dished out to worthy winners, Duane Darby scored and both sides put on a splendid show of football in an end-to-end affair.
Autumn's great expectations vanished months ago. Mark Hateley's troops battled through the bleakest of mid-winters but have found a glimmer of hope in the spring sunshine. By the time Player of the Year Warren Joyce led the Tigers on to the field to take on mid-table Cambridge United, no-one remained under any illusions.
It has been a tough season for many reasons. Money, as always, has played a central role. Most of the hopes and aspirations which meant City started the season as Championship favourites had been based on the idea that David Lloyd was set to plough millions into team strengthening. With the squad bolstered, surely a promotion charge would be the order of the day, but things didn't quite work out that way. Lloyd insisted all along he wasn't about to splash the cash and it soon became clear Mark Hateley's first season in management wouldn't be accompanied by an open chequebook.
The Tigers kicked off on Saturday knowing they would finish the season third bottom and the league table doesn't lie. The promotion dream had long since died. City ended the season 58 points behind runaway champions Notts County, 29 points off the play-offs and 21 points above sorry Doncaster Rovers.
Hateley has always urged for patience. Next season would be the time to judge him and his sidekick Billy Kirkwood, he said. Now the big man has a busy summer of hard work ahead of him after a first season he will want to forget. Don't get carried away with the end-of-season form was his cautious after-match message. The Tigers have ended the season in fine form after struggling through a woeful mid-winter patch. Worryingly the attacking force behind the mini-revival are unlikely to be starting the season at the club.
Darby, whose 15th goal of the season won the game, looks destined to leave. His fond farewell to the faithful suggested he wouldn't be in black and amber come August 8 when the next campaign gets under way. Steven Boyack and David Brown, who were both below par against Cambridge after a string of good displays, are not guaranteed to be here either. They seem ready to quit Rangers and Manchester United respectively but whether they are Boothferry-bound is another matter.
Nevertheless, City's resilience has also improved in recent games. No longer do they appear a soft touch. Steve Wilson epitomised this on Saturday with a string of fine saves to deny the visitors and in particular striker Martin Butler who lost their personal duel. Butler saw half a dozen efforts saved by Wilson including one top-class stop when the Cambridge Number Nine was clean through and looked odds-on to equalise.
At the other end Scott Barrett helped keep the score down with some equally impressive goalkeeping. He produced excellent saves to deny Brown before half-time and Gregor Rioch just after the break. The big keeper also stopped Boyack's 32nd-minute drive but was helpless as Darby pounced to crash home the rebound. Not for the first time this season the goal followed a flowing City move. Brian McGinty, who was quiet by his own standards, slotted a pass to Boyack on the right hand side of the penalty area. The Rangers midfielder steadied himself and drove the ball low towards goal. Barrett blocked with his legs but the ball bounced to Darby who adjusted quickly to score.
It proved enough to secure a double over Roy McFarland's team. The Tigers' only away win of the season was achieved against Cambridge in October when a late Mark Greaves header was enough for the points. Darby almost struck again in the dying minutes with a chance created by his manager Hateley. The player-manager came off the bench for the last four minutes and made an impact. Picking up a ball on the right wing, he cut back inside and drove a perfect left-footed cross on to the head of Darby who had dropped off his marker at the back post. The marksman flung himself at the ball but his header smacked against the crossbar with Barrett for once beaten. It would have been more icing on the end-of-season party cake but Tigers fans were still able to go home smiling. That in itself is an achievement in a troublesome year.
Whatever the summer holds, City can enjoy the break with slightly more satisfaction after the late form. If the infamous Doncaster defeat had been the final game of the season it would have been a depressing summer. Instead a handful of good performances have lifted the spirits and given reason not to dread the start of next season.
Reproduced without permission but with the best of intentions!
Summary of media reports:
Roy McFarland named an unchanged side today as United sought to finish the season on a high note, but Hull City had their 'keeper Steve Wilson to thank for their only double this season. This was the second consecutive game where only a goalkeeper's heroics denied United's strikers, and Wilson takes the credit for brilliantly denying Martin Butler several times as Cambridge kept the pressure on right to the end.
The first half was fairly even although United probably had more of the ball, but in a rare attacking foray the Tigers went ahead after 32 minutes through Duane Darby. The striker pounced after a free kick when Boyack's shot was blocked by Scott Barrett, reacting quickly to fire home from ten yards.
United turned up the heat after the break and Butler in particular was repeatedly frustrated by Wilson who proved unbeatable, even in one-on-one situations. Trevor Benjamin terrified Wilson and his defence with his pace and strength but Hull worked hard to deny the U's time and space on the ball, and Darby almost added a second in the dying moments. The unsettled striker met Mark Hateley's cross only to head against the bar.
McFarland sent Tommy Smith on for his debut in the 68th minute, the former Manchester United midfielder replacing 'Billy' Beall. Michael Kyd was replaced at the same time by lanky youngster Mark McCammon and the non-contract striker caught the eye with his effort and linking with Butler. Teenager Tom Youngs came on for Ian Ashbee with four minutes left.
So United's rollercoaster season has finished with as much promise as it started, and but for the long winter run without a win we could have been looking forward to the play-offs at the very least. Roy McFarland has reshaped his side and the young outfit give cause for a lot of optimism as we look forward to next season, especially if the manager is successful in attracting the two or three experienced heads he says he is seeking.
New opponents next season will be Brentford, Plymouth, Carlisle and Southend who are relegated from Division Two, whilst Halifax are promoted from the Vauxhall Conference. Lincoln City snatched the last automatic promotion slot and move up to Division Two with Notts County and Macclesfield.
Micah Hyde's Watford clinched the Division Two championship with their win this afternoon as United's former captain set up the first Hornets goal, and if Jody Craddock's Sunderland earn promotion to the Premiership tomorrow Cambridge United can look forward to another bonus payment.
Many thanks to Julie for her report.
Back to Match fixtures, results and reports
Back to Cambridge United index