‘Goal machine’ Madine wrecks Hull’s big week
THE man who inspires the chant ‘Gary Madine, goal machine’ put Hull through the wringer as he scored from the spot.
His no-nonsense penalty gave the Seasiders only their second win in their last 11 Championship outings, and condemned the Tigers to a third game without a victory.
It was hardly the result that Hull wanted, with their 1,000-plus following hoping to celebrate the big-bucks takeover of their club which is expected to be signed and sealed this week.
Hull boss Grant Mccann wouldn’t get involved in the takeover speculation but admitted about the game: “We were not at our best, that’s for sure. It was a scrappy game and frustrating for us.
‘‘The penalty was a 50-50 in my opinion, but more importantly, we should never have given them the opportunity.
“We had the better chances, especially those coming at the end. But you should take your chances and we didn’t.
“We hope to have a full squad up and running for the FA
Cup game against Everton. That’s now our priority.”
On the penalty, referee Dean Whitestone had no hesitation in giving the crucial spot-kick after Jacob Greaves had brought down
Josh Bowler, who was breaking through with
Blackpool 1 Hull 0
Lindsay Sutton the ball yet again. Little wonder that Nottingham Forest have put in an early first bid for the former Everton man, who played 28 games for Hull on loan two seasons ago.
Little wonder too that Blackpool have turned them down.
For the penalty, old-hand Madine (below) made no mistake as he hammered the ball over diving keeper Nathan Baxter to put Blackpool ahead with his fourth strike of the season.
Blackpool boss
Neil Critchley was delighted to get back to winning ways, and said of the Bowler speculation: “You only have to see how Josh played out there – nothing has affected him. He has been fantastic and we want to keep him.
“However, we now have to put up with the silly season starting, with all the transfer speculation.”
But it was Blackpool stand-in keeper Dan Grimshaw who kept the home side ahead as he pulled off some excellent saves.
Former Irish international Richard Keogh gave away the ball and Keane Lewis-potter grabbed his chance to send in a piledriver, which Grimshaw managed to save one-handed.
Then, in an action replay, Grimshaw did it again as Lewis-potter tested him once more.