Accrington take revenge on an under-par City
DEFEAT COMPOUNDED BY INJURY TO INFLUENTIAL MIDFIELDER HONEYMAN AT WHAM STADIUM
Any hopes of a perfect nine points from the last nine for Hull City were brought to a shuddering halt at Accrington Stanley. The second meeting of the two clubs in a week ended with Stanley recording a deserved 2-0 victory at the Wham Stadium, against a Tigers side that failed to reach the heights of recent weeks.
While City will feel aggrieved at decisions going against them, they were second best throughout in a performance which was a far cry from the one which saw them beat Stanley last Tuesday and then thump Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
To add to City’s worries, the Tigers lost influential midfielder George Honeyman to injury in the build-up to Matt Butcher’s killer second goal which will be a concern ahead of Swindon on Saturday at the KCOM.
There was just one change to the side that destroyed Portsmouth at the weekend, with Josh Magennis swapping places with Gavin Whyte.
The Northern Irish international had the ball in the net 10 minutes before the break, only to see a flag for offside, which summed up the drab nature of the opening half-hour.
Callum Elder’s pinpoint cross from the left was teasing which Magennis met at the near post, stooping to flick into the corner.
By that point, Accrington had already fashioned more attempts at goal than City had conceded in the last two games.
George Long made a smart save from Tariq Uwakwe at his near post, before a scramble inside the box had hearts in mouths until Long grabbed hold of it.
City were far from fluent going forward, certainly compared to what we’d seen in the previous two outings, but they were still carrying a threat on the break.
Keane Lewis-potter lofted over after goalkeeper Baxter had clashed with Magennis and then Richie Smallwood crashed an effort from 25 yards over the top.
If anything, it was Stanley’s half, and no shortage of sliding blocks were coming in from Smallwood, Alfie Jones and Jacob Greaves, showing just how desperate they were to keep that clean sheet, a 17th of the season in all competitions.
A drab affair had its first goal just five minutes into the second half, and in a league when the first goal often proves decisive, it was a killer blow for the Tigers.
Dion Charles found space inside the City box on the left, confidently hitting it quickly across Long at his near post to put John Coleman’s side in front, and in fairness, on the balance of play a lead they deserved.
City’s best moment of the game to that point came when Magennis laid it off to Lewis-potter, he surged forward and into the box, before unleashing a powerful effort which was batted away by Baxter.
Things went from bad to worse for City when Matt Butcher rattled in the second.
Honeyman was clattered by Seamus Conneely, who picked up a booking for a late challenge, and while the City playmaker was off getting treatment, Uwakwe and Charles combined giving Butcher the chance to fire in from the edge of the box.
City’s number 10 was unable to continue, replaced by Reece Burke, coming shortly after Whyte and Dan Crowley had replaced Magennis and Smallwood.
City pressed for a way back into it, but it was the home side who came closest to adding further to their tally.
Sean Mcconville saw a deflected effort loop onto the top of Long’s bar, while Michael Nottingham saw a header blocked on the line.
If expectation had build-up over the past week, this was something of another rain
check for the Tigers, dropping out of the automatic promotion places, such is the congested nature of the table.
KEY MOMENT
Josh Magennis seeing his header chalked off. Accy scored after that and as we know so often, the first goal generally decides it.
GOOD DAY
Tariq Uwakwe. Caused city problems from the left all night, and his pass played a big part in the second goal.
OPPOSITION STAR
Dion Charles – a real threat, scored the first and should have probably had another. Willing to run in behind and never gave the Tigers a minute.
BAD DAY
George Long. Looked nervy at times and will be frustrated to have been beaten at his near post by the first goal.
REF WATCH
Will Finnie – poor game. Never in control of a spicy encounter and struggled to deal with a number of key decisions.
UP NEXT
Swindon on Saturday at the KCOM. City need a performance and result after a poor night at Accrington, and owe the Robins for the defeat on Halloween.
ENTERTAINMENT 5/10 – poor game in terrible conditions.