Monyhull 5 Zion City 3

Hull-elujah

Finally the season started for the hull boys last Saturday as they recorded their first win of the season after a mere three games.

For posterity, the hull squad lined up with Joel in goal, a back four of Tuxworth, Madden, Big Slow Gaz Webber and Nick Pritchard. In midfield were Tom Hales, Big Ron Jankowski, Reeson and Keys with Shannon and Leigh Watts up front. Warming the bench were Gaffer Millist, Pickett, Pete and Matt Langston, Lee Clarke and 2 cheeseburgers. Faithful 'hulls on the touchline included Tom B, Key and Adam.

With John’s normal timekeeping demands the hull were prepared early and had mad dog putting them through their paces. In contrast, Zion turned up late with only 7 men and no kit. In the end they had to kick off in the hulls subs bibs half an hour late.

With only 7 men against them even the 'hull couldn’t fail to dominate, as Jamie Madden pointed out, it was great to have a back four who could pass the ball around when the opposition dropped back to defend from halfway. But 15 minutes in and no urgency about the play until the final ball was misplaced or someone was caught offside it was still nil-nil and the cavalry arrived in the shape of another car load of Zion players and their kit.

Almost immediately Zion went on the attack,a ball was played through and with Big Slow Gaz moving like an arthritic vole. Through treacle. With a hernia. A zion player was able to saunter past him, stop for a chat and a cup of tea before slotting the ball past Joel for 1:0 to Zion.This time the 'hull kept going, the lively Reeson played a through ball and Watts stayed onside and that was 1:1.

The zion defence reacted and having managed about 5 minutes with 11 players were back down to 10, and a few minutes later made it 9 as they had another man sent off for swearing. The 'hull were well on top. Reeson and Jankowski were controlling the midfield, Tuxworth was superb at right back, Joel Estridge didn’t drop anything, Reece Shannon was well on his way to getting a massive kick up the backside at half time for pulling out of so many 50-50 challenges, but then, a splash of water on that hollyoaks quiff, a cross from the excellent Hales and the lad opened his monyhull account making it 2:1 at half time.

"Only you can lose this" said Millist at half time, "yes we can" said Nick as he gave away a penalty for 2:2. Lee Clarke finished his first cheeseburger and came on for Shannon. The 'hull were on the attack, another cross from Tom Hales was half cleared only to fall at the feet of Clarke, lingering on the edge of the box in anticipation. Or possibly just arriving as quick as he could with his warm up cheeseburger.

Josh Keys made it 4 and the 'hull were cruising, Millist even brought himself on in the hope of getting a goal, but instead from absolutely nothing Madden was left trailing and Zion made it 4:3. Almost instantly hull were back on top as in a carbon copy of his first Lee Clarke doubled his tally. Matt Langston came on to enjoy the last few minutes as smiles spread across the 'hull team with Zion running out of energy to get back into the game.

It was a good result for the 'hull, and the same team should get to start next time after a winning performance. But good as it was, there will need to be improvements for the next game against 11 men. Man of the match was pretty close between Ryan and Rob, but perhaps Lee Clarkes cheeseburger should take it for 2 assists. (Votes were counted Tom Hales won MOM! – JM).