By Joe Collins
Hull City’s Under-21s fell to a 2-1 defeat against Coventry City, in their first game at the Dransfield Stadium this season.
As Lewie Coyle, Aaron Connolly, Jacob Greaves and Ozan Tufan watched on from the stands, Mackenzie Stratton gave Coventry the lead. Joseph Johnson found a leveller during stoppage time at the end of the first half, but Coventry took the lead again 4 minutes from time; the goal was scored by Charlie Finney.
The name that stood out most on the team sheet for Hull City was Doğukan Sinik, playing his first game in 5 months as he continues his rehab from the shoulder injury he picked up whilst out on loan at Antalyaspor last season. Matty Jacob also played his first game following a knee injury picked up on City’s pre-season training camp in Turkiye. Deadline Day signing Bora Aydınlık was named among the substitutes once again.
Despite a bright start for the Tigers, including Jacob seeing an effort deflected behind for a corner, Coventry took an early lead. Stratton turned the ball past David Robson at the back post after 15 minutes.
City tried to respond quickly. Luis Lines made a stretching save to deny Olly Green from range, tipping his effort onto the crossbar. But, following Green’s effort, Conor Sellars’ side were firmly second best. Coventry pressed high up the pitch and bypassed Green and Rocco Coyle in midfield. Sinik tried his luck twice from 25 yards; both efforts were high and wide of the mark. The 3-cap Turkish international did, however, show a glimpse of his pace on 31 minutes. He turned past Ryllie Siddall and accelerated away from him, then looped a cross from the left flank towards Tyrell Sellars-Fleming. Before it reached the former Scunthorpe United man, it was headed behind for a corner.
Just before the break, Hull City found an undeserved equaliser. Coyle, from the halfway line, played a long ball forward towards Johnson running in behind. After a dummy by Jim Simms, he latched onto the pass and slotted it past the keeper.
At the break, Sinik and Jacob were replaced by Aydınlık and Vaughn Covil.
City dominated possession in the second half, but struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. Henry Sandat was introduced on 62 minutes, but he struggled to affect the game and give the Tigers the lead. Simms came close 25 minutes from time, latching onto a corner swung in from City’s right flank. But, he was crowded out by Coventry defenders and could only divert the ball over the bar whilst he had his back to goal from close range. 10 minutes later, he came close again; this time dragging an effort wide of the keeper’s right-hand post. Covil also had a powerful header saved by Lines, as he rose highest to meet a looping cross from the left by Aydınlık.
As the second 45 grew on, Coventry came back into the game. They had 2 major chances, and scored one of them. The first came with 15 minutes remaining. Aidan Dausch was played in behind, and had Evan Eghosa available to his right. As Robson came out to narrow down the angle, Eghosa had the ball played his way. Fortunately for the Tigers, Eghosa slipped and Johnson could recover and clear. The second of these chances were also created by Dausch. He ran from deep with 4 minutes to go and got the better of Alfie Taylor for pace. He just kept the ball in play when playing the ball to Finney, unmarked on the penalty spot, who slotted calmly past Robson to give Coventry the win.
Hull City U21s: Robson; Fanning, Mills, Taylor, Jacob (Covil 46’); Green (C) (Tinsdale 78’), Coyle; Johnson, Simms, Sellars-Fleming (Sandat 62’), Sinik (Aydınlık 46’). Unused Substitutes: Foster (GK)
Coventry City U21s: Lines; Siddall, Di Trolio, Perry, Trialist A, Stretton; Trialist B (Dausch 75’), Betjemann; Andrews (McCallum 93’), Costello (Finney 84’), Eghosa. Unused Substitutes: Trialist C (GK), Mantle.
