Monyhull 0 St Thomas 3

The last home league game of the hulls first league season saw the visit of St Thomas’ to the Pavilion.

Manager Millist went for another formation, this time 4.3.3 with big money signing Joel making his debut in goal, a back 4 of Nick Pritchard, Big Ron (Jankowski), Gaz Webber and Pickett, Burke, Conlon and Madden forming the midfield and Gary Harwood, Andy White and man of the match Aaron Rainbow up front, covering the midfield and helping out their fullbacks.

For once the 'hull made a decent start putting St Thomas under pressure for the first few minutes before the promotion chasing team got into their stride and began to make progress, particularly through their Harry Potter look alike left winger who was giving Tom Pickett a torid time, with very little support from the narrow midfield. Chances were being made before new keeper Joel Estridge came out to punch a cross clear and made his mark on the increasingly craggy face of Big Ron. Will the centre halves other half allow him another season when this one has seen him go from boy band candidate to Steve Bruce look alike?

The inevitable happened, a through ball, a knee and the hull were one down. Almost straight from the restart it was two and the hull were facing a long morning. Heads stayed up, and the hull held on for the rest of the half as Gaffer Millist planned his strategy.

Harwood made way for Buckley as Millist went for the tried and tested 4-4-2. Rainbow dropped back to the wing and Madden was moved up front. Unfortunately the result was another goal for St Thomas. Manager Millist prepared for his final tactical change on the hour, was Langston finally going to get a long anticipated run at centre forward alongside the Gaffer? No, Nick Pritchard said he was getting a bit tired and needed to come off for a rest, so little brother Adam replaced him at left back and John brought himself on for Andy White who had put in a good shift against a tight defence.

Suddenly the game started to turn, the midfield began to run the show, particularly Tom Buckley and the hull were looking dangerous. Millist made a superb run from halfway to beat the offside, rode the challenge of the last defender, went round the keeper, and just needed to put the ball into the empty net with his left foot. He then turned back to get it onto his right and gently chipped the ball into the keepers arms!

Then Jamie Madden was put clear, but having less pace than a three legged tortoise, had to turn back to look for support and the chance was gone. Then Millist was clear again, hit his shot with his left, and we all understood why he hadn’t used it for his first chance as the ball went well wide.

Pride restored with a decent second half display the hull head for next weekend final league match. Will the manager finally decide what his strongest line up is? Will it be 4-4-2, 5-3-2, 4-5-1 or any of the other combinations used this season? Will the hull finish on a high with a win? After mid table respectability for the football team in the church quiz night anything is possible.