By Joe Collins
Hull City’s Under-21s started their 2023/24 league campaign with a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at the MKM Stadium.
Playing in front of over 100 spectators in the lower West Stand, Henry Sandat gave the Tigers the lead 25 minutes into his debut and Alfie Taylor doubled the lead 15 minutes from time.
Sandat slotted the ball underneath Charlton goalkeeper Henry Molyneux from close range having been played through by City captain Olly Green. The second came from a corner which the Addicks failed to fully deal with. Summer arrival Raj Palit swung a looping ball in the box from the East Stand side towards Jevon Mills at the back post. His headed effort was cleared only as far as Green 25 yards out from goal, who shuffled the ball onto his weaker right foot to beat a man before unleashing an effort which Taylor diverted past the Molyneux.
U21s manager Conor Sellars named a strong starting XI, featuring new signings Owen Foster, Joseph Johnson, Ajay Weston, Raj Palit and Henry Sandat. Xavier Simons was a surprise inclusion from the first team in midfield, and Vaughn Covil continued his long recovery from an injury sustained a year ago.
Assistant Head Coach Justin Walker, First Team Coach Andy Dawson, Analyst Ben Warner and Goalkeeping Coach Barry Richardson watched on as the Tigers took the initiative in the game and created a number of early chances.
Four minutes in, Covil intercepted a misplaced pass by Charlton defender Joshua Laqueretabua just inside the Charlton half and drove towards goal unchallenged. The former Forest Green Rovers forward shot from 20 yards out, but his effort never really tested Molyneux as it rolled along the surface into his arms.
Covil was involved frequently in the first 30 minutes of the game, but his presence on the pitch became less obvious as the game drew on. 15 minutes in, he drew a foul 20 yards from goal. The resulting free kick was fired just wide by Joseph Johnson.
Both City and Charlton were prone to errors passing the ball out from the back. 17 minutes in, Jevon Mills misplaced a pass - which led to Owen Foster claiming the ball after Ryan Huke’s shot hit the post. City benefitted from some errors made by their opposition. Sandat made an interception on the halfway line, but his pass to play Vaughn Covil in behind was poor. Two minutes prior to Sandat’s opener, pressing play by Johnson and Palit down the right-hand side forced Charlton’s defence into an error. The ball was worked to Green on the edge who rolled an effort well wide of the target.
Following the opener, the game became more even. The Tigers still created chances, but these were limited to Green firing over from range and an attempted cross by Raj Palit hitting the post. For Charlton, Ladapo was played through and blazed an effort over the bar from 15 yards out, Huke rolled a shot just wide of the mark, and Foster was forced into a superb diving recovery save from Charlton’s Jason Adigun after he surrendered possession to him on the penalty spot.
As the second half commenced, Liam Rosenior and David Meyler arrived – and the duo took their seats alongside Walker, Dawson, Warner and Richardson below Acun Ilıcalı’s box. Rosenior would surely have been pleased to see City dominate possession in the second half. Over the duration of the second 45, Jim Simms (who was substituted on for Henry Sandat at the interval) caused problems, but he will be frustrated with himself in front of goal – with 2 shots put over the bar and a third effort rolled wide. Olly Green had an attempt on goal saved in the final few moments.
The big talking point of the half was a penalty shout for Hull City that was waved away. As Palit was played through by Covil, Molyneux came out of his goal and slid to clear the ball before Palit had chance to get it under control. In doing so, Molyneux and Palit collided in what looked a nasty coming together. The referee waved Hull City’s appeals away, before pulling play back so both players could receive treatment.
Owen Foster was called into action an several occasions, but nothing really caused him much trouble.
As the final whistle blew at the MKM, I managed to speak briefly to Academy Manager Richard Naylor. When asked if he was happy with the game, Naylor said ‘We’ve been better, but a win is a win.’
Hull City: Foster (GK), Johnson, Mills, Taylor, Weston (Fanning 77’), Simons, Palit (R.Coyle 90+3’), Green (C), Covil (Chibanga 81’), Hall, Sandat (Simms 45’)
Unused Substitutes: Howard (GK)
Charlton Athletic: Molyneux (GK), Laqueretabua (Hobden 77’), Elerewe (C) (Gough 69’), Barkin, Roddy (Dench 85’), Kedwell, Adigun, Huke, Santos (Enslin 77’), Kasey, Ladapo
Unused Substitutes: Trialist (GK)
