Glyn Hodges’ side, calling on several of last season’s FA Youth Cup winning side, recorded an emphatic 4-1 win at North Ferriby United’s ground with a superb second half performance.
The hosts fielded an experienced side featuring Dean Windass and Caleb Folan – who scored against City for both Chesterfield and Wigan two seasons ago. Former Bolton midfielder Stelios should also have played but he was forced to drop out at the last minute with a thigh injury.
The Tigers started well, taking the lead in the seventh minute when Garcia headed home a Hughes corner. City were rattled but gradually dragged themselves into the game, with Adam Clayton hitting the woodwork after half an hour.
Hull were left to rue Caleb Folan’s spurning of two good opportunities just before half time when City equalised after the break, James Poole driving the ball in off the post from a Clayton corner.
The experienced Tony Warner pulled off a great save to deny David Ball, then Hull went close themselves when a header from Plummer smacked against Tobias Johansen’s crossbar. But it did not remain level for long, David Ball was not to be denied again and his fine finish on 67 minutes set City on their way.
The young Blues were in full control for the rest of the match, with Warner preventing Ball from adding a second with another good save, then Tsiaklis found the side-netting. Two goals in the final three minutes, from Paul Marshall and Ian Daly completed a fine night’s work.
Teams:
Hull City: Warner, Doyle, McNamara (Oxley h-t), Welsh, Plummer, Gardner, Hughes, Atkinson, Windass, Folan, Garcia.
Unused subs: Devitt, Bennett, Kendall.
City: Johansen, Vidal, Morris, Mee, McDonald, Clayton, Weiss (Tsiaklis h-t), Marshall, Cunningham 89), Ball, Daly, Poole.
Unused subs: Obeng, Clegg, Ramsey.
