COVENTRY CITY 1-1 HULL CITY BY KEV MONKS
Team
Konstantopoulos, Osbourne, Ward, Hall, Borrowdale, Tabb (Mifsud 77), Doyle, M.Hughes (S.Hughes 46), Gray, McKenzie, Kyle (Adebola 74) SNU Marshall, Best.
Hull City
Duke, Ricketts (sent off 66), Turner, Brown, Delaney, Marney, Ashbee (c), Elliott (Dawson 70), Garcia, Barmby (Livermore 76), Windass (McPhee 73). SNU Myhill, Bridges
HT CCFC 0-0 HCFC FT CCFC 1-1 HCFC
GOALS Leon McKenzie (50), Nicky Barmby (61)
Referee B.Knight
Booked Ashbee,Ricketts, Marney,Ricketts
Att 21,059
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STARTING FORMATION
Iain Dowie kept faith with the same team that had won 4-1 at Barnsley and included fit again Michael Mifsud on the bench
McKenzie Kyle
Gray M.Hughes Doyle Tabb
Borrowdale Hall Ward Osbourne
Konstantopoulos
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CITY SUPPORTERS
An excellent of turn-out of City supporters for the first home league game of the new season, not the full house the finances now dictate but a good turn-out, boosted by cheaper family tickets and a number of junior clubs getting free tickets.
The noise levels were reasonably good especially those in the Jewson Stand for the first time since the Arena was built whilst the 1015 Hull fans whose presence prompted a large police presence, gave their side some good support.
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WEATHER
This was truly an awful day. The rain started about 1pm and never stopped and still hadn't by the time this report was sent.
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FIRST HALF
Iain Dowie had warned going into the game that Hull would be a tough side to break down and for supporters not to get carried away following the wins against Barnsley and Notts County.
These were good words from the popular City boss as when the "We Are Top Of The League" chants had died down, it was evident that this was not going to be an easy afternoon for the Sky Blues.
it was a turgid first half performance from the Sky Blues and one that saw City pass the ball ok but struggle when it came to the long balls.
With Nicky Barmby getting the abuse from sections of the City support, both sides had early corners before Hull showed that they were quite happy to play the rough stuff when Ian Ashbee was cautioned for a blatant trip on Michael Doyle.
In the 19th minute, City could have had a penalty when Kevin Kyle was pushed over as he tried to get to a Gray cross but referee Barry Knight or was that Barron Knight for some of his previous performances against City,decided there was nothing doing and awarded a corner.
Sam Ricketts was next in the book in the 22nd minute for a foul on Julian Gray who was struggling like Jay Tabb to find the room he had enjoyed at Barnsley a week ago.
The best chance created by Phil Brown's side came in the 29th minute when Dimi saved from a header by the well travelled Nick Barmby.
Another header saw Jay Tabb go close from a Gray cross whilst Barmby did the same later in the 34th minute.
Both sides had a corner as everyone headed downstairs to escape the rain for a few minutes during the interval.
HT CCFC 0-0 HCFC
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SECOND HALF
Iain Dowie used the interval to replace Michael Hughes with Stephen Hughes and whatever he said at the break for the third time in seven days seemed to have work as City took the lead just over four minutes into the second half.
Kevin Kyle, who had little service to be fair to him, got into the penalty area at the CT Stand end and lobbed the ball over to the far post. There was Leon McKenzie who headed the ball past Duke and into the net from three yards.
City started to tear into the East Yorkshire side. Julian Gray pulled a shot across the face of the goal and then flashed another side wide.
A telling ball from the solid and dependable Gary Borrowdale had to be headed for a 58th minute corner as Kyle came in.
Michael Doyle was first to get a head to Isaac Osborne's corner but Duke was able to flap at the ball and have the luxury of a defender to clear it.
In the 61st minute and out of nothing, Hull City drew level. Nicky Barmby was allowed to get himself in front of the defender and be there to head past Dimi when a Sam Ricketts cross came in.
Ricketts only lasted another five minutes before he went for the early bath when he tugged the shirt of Julian Gray, giving Mr Knight no choice but to show the yellow and then a red card.
Hull tightened their defence and brought on former City Reserve team Stephen McPhee whilst Iain Dowie drew a good round of applause for Kevin Kyle when he was replaced by Dele Adebola with sixteen minutes of the match left.
Dowie also sent on Michael Mifsud to try and get a winner. A possible penalty in the 78th minute for a handball by Garcia had no effect on the referee.
Mifsud had a couple of chances but he or Doyle could not beat Duke and City could not break their hoodoo of not winning their second league game of the season since relegation from the Premier League in 2001.
FT CCFC 1-1 HCFC
MAN OF THE MATCH - Michael Doyle polled the votes with nominations for Leon McKenzie, Kevin Kyle and Jay Tabb.
SUPPORTERS VIEW
We caught up with Rosie from Cov after the game who said "We tried to play football but Hull were physical and generally look for the long ball that we were accustomed to with Micky Adams.
"We really need to be these teams at home. "Yet again,Kyle and Doyler were my men of the match . Pele and Miffy did well when they came on. "But my main point is the poor attendance. 21,059 is shocking at home."
This reports is dedicated to the memory of one of the old Homerton Sky Blues Graham Malin - City Till He Died.