100th appearance proves so sweet for Honeyman
MIDFIELDER MARKS LANDMARK WITH GOAL THAT TEES UP FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN FOR TIGERS
Grant Mccann’s heroic Hull City claimed a fourth successive Championship win as George Honeyman celebrated a century of appearances for the Tigers by scoring the opener in a gritty, hard-fought 2-1 win over play-off hopefuls Millwall at the MKM Stadium.
Honeyman headed the Tigers in front during a pulsating first half in dreadful conditions, only for Tom Bradshaw to level up on the cusp of half-time.
Undeterred, Mccann’s men roared back to regain the lead when the excellent Josh Magennis saw his effort blocked by Bartosz Bialkowski, but there was Ryan Longman to apply the finish and notch his first City goal.
A late flurry of pressure from Gary Rowett’s men was met by a stern rearguard action masterminded by a superb display from Nathan Baxter in goal, and Mccann’s men were able to celebrate their fourth win on the spin for the first time in almost two years.
Both sides traded early efforts in what was always going to be a scrappy affair given the pretty unpleasant weather conditions.
Mallik Wilks blazed over while at the other end Baxter had to be alert to deny Benik Afobe.
A lively encounter really came to life a minute shy of the half-hour mark after gritty work from Greg Docherty enabled Jacob Greaves to scamper down the left side before firing over a teasing cross which appeared to catch a glance off Magennis’ head before Honeyman stooped to divert a header into Bialkowski’s net.
It wouldn’t have been harsh to say that opener came somewhat against the run of play given the visitors’ lively attacking play.
Despite being behind, the side from the capital were a constant threat and their efforts were duly rewarded right on the stroke of halftime when Afobe combined with Bradshaw to spring the Tigers’ offside trap. Bradshaw raced away before sliding past Baxter to make it 1-1.
Frustration for Mccann and City, but arguably a fair scoreline at the interval on what was a freezing afternoon in East Yorkshire.
City began the second half well with Magennis bludgeoning his way past Lions skipper Shaun Hutchinson, but his fizzing cross had no takers.
Bradshaw, clearly growing in confidence after his goal before the break, was then afforded space inside the box to head at
Baxter in what was another warning shot.
Mccann’s men continued to probe for a second and it took just eight minutes of the second half for them to regain the lead.
Keane Lewis-potter, who had been struggling with a knock picked up moments earlier was involved, the effective Magennis had the shot which Bialkowski could only push out for Longman to tap in his first Tigers goal.
Millwall wanted offside but referee Smith waved away their protests and Longman was off into the rain to celebrate.
Two minutes past the hour mark, Mccann opted for a little more defensive cover to try and halt the influence of Jed Wallace.
Wilks was hauled off for Callum Elder, but that change did little to slow Millwall’s growing momentum.
Afobe came close to making it 2-2 with his effort cleared away just a couple of yards away from Baxter’s line, and then Docherty came in to deal with a situation well before being hassled by Danny Mcnamara which saw the Lions man booked.
Matt Smith was thrown on by Rowett for goalscorer Bradshaw, and his introduction
almost had an instant impact with the Tigers needing Baxter to repel a stinging effort from Mcnamara. Former Derby man Mason Bennett, dropped to the bench for the game replaced Sheyi Ojo as Rowett chased a way back into the game.
Having put in a real shift, both Longman and Magennis were withdrawn with 11 minutes of an enthralling contest remaining, and Randell Williams and Tom Eaves on in their place - cue the inevitable chants of ‘Eaves’ around the MKM Stadium.
Rowett’s final throw of the dice came moments later when George Evans came on for George Saville.
Eaves and Afobe then came to blows with both picking up a card from the referee as nerves began to be frayed.
Four minutes were added on and still the Lions threw everything at City, but stand firm they did and the full-time whistle was met with huge cheers as Mccann’s men made it three wins in what has been a perfect week. Millwall: Bartosz Bialkowski; Daniel Ballard, Shaun Hutchinson, Murray Wallace; Danny Mcnamara, Billy Mitchell, George Saville (George Evans 82’), Sheyi Ojo (Mason Bennett 72’); Jed Wallace, Benik Afobe, Tom Bradshaw (Matt Smith 67’).
Subs Not Used: George Long, Jake Cooper, Maikel Kieftenbeld, Scott Malone.
Attendance: 10,613
Josh Smith