Hull City (U21s) 1-2 Coventry City (U21s)

Hull City (U21s) 1-2 Coventry City (U21s)

Professional Development League

Monday 25th September 2023

A night out in North Ferriby, an opportunity to learn about new players (and see some familiar faces who I love watching anyway) and I got exactly what I wanted from seeing this game as Coventry City scored a late winner through Charlie Finney to beat Hull City.

In a game which was tight and closely-fought for large spells, a point apiece would have been fair enough as both teams had some talented players involved - notable mentions for McKenzie Stretton, Elliot Betjemann and Jim Simms who all impressed, albeit Hull can count themselves unlucky that they got beat.

The story of the game is pretty straightforward.

After an uneventful first 15 minutes, Coventry went 1-0 up when McKenzie Stretton (impressive and without doubt the Sky Blues’ best attacking threat) beat his man, burst down the left flank and squared a perfect ball into the goalmouth which was finished off by Rylie Siddall before the Tigers almost responded immediately as Oliver Green’s first-time half-volley from the edge of the box was tipped onto the post/bar by Luis Lines in a top save!

Coventry then had a little spell where they got on top to a degree; Stretton continuing to look sharp on the left whilst Elliot Betjemann was just brilliant (no other word to describe him) with some of the things he did in midfield whether it be on the half-turn, gliding or linking bits up. Tidy, tenacious and a good player, he hit a shot narrowly over after some neat work around the half-hour mark, but then right on half-time came an equaliser for Hull as Rocco Coyle’s 40-yard forward pass found Joe Johnson, via a brilliant dummy by Jim Simms (so good and so clever) and Johnson didn’t need a second invitation to smash the ball home. Right on half-time; always a great time to score! BOOM! 1-1! Game on!

That equaliser certainly gave the Tigers the impetus because for a 30-minute spell in the second half, they had more possession, more territory, and looked the more likely team to score as Jevon Mills got a header on target from a set-piece, Alfie Taylor went close, another inswinging corner hit the crossbar and the Coventry ‘keeper made a few good saves from open play situations to keep them level - including one stop at his near-post from a tight angle by Kyle Fanning who stocky, tall and strong, was quite lively in the occasions when he got forward.

It seemed like a goal was going to come sooner or later and when Jim Simms got half a yard of space inside the box and was about to connect to Vaughn Covil’s cut-back, out of nowhere Riccardo Di Trolio produced a sublime and perfect last-ditch tackle to nick the ball off Simms’ toes and prevent what would have been an absolutely certain goal. Bravery, because if he got it wrong then it would have been punished by a card and a penalty, but top class gutsy defending, fists clenched afterwards with a little roar, and a contribution which was as good as scoring a goal.

And what a massive moment Riccardo Di Trolio’s challenge proved to be!

Aidan Dausch looked sharp from when he came on and breathed something of a new lease of life into Coventry and when his good touch inside the box and subsequent lay-off found Evan Eghosa, he couldn’t steer the ball into the net in one of those agonising moments where the goal was gaping.

But Dausch’s next major involvement was even better as he never gave up on chasing a ball down the right and tight to the byline he got there, squared it back to Charlie Finney who cushioned his shot past Tigers ‘keeper David Robson to give Coventry that sensational buzz and adrenaline rush of going 2-1 up with just a few minutes left to go. Celebrations in the corner. That feeling of accomplishment - nothing better in football when that happens is there boys? Victory was now tantalisingly close!

Hull complained at length that the ball was out when Aidan Dausch crossed it (the officials aren’t ever going to change their minds in that scenario) but even despite the in/out argument, what couldn’t be questioned was Dausch’s sheer desire to reach and make something happen (proper admirable) and although Hull tried their utmost to muster up a response in the time what remained, they couldn’t breach Coventry’s defence in six played minutes of injury-time with RDT heading one away right near the end and Callum Perry marshaling things and defending resolutely to ensure it stayed 2-1.

Eventually, James Bancroft - the same referee who did the infamous Scunthorpe-Buxton game the other week where he abandoned it in the 95th minute, blew his whistle. This time it wasn’t for a last-gasp abandonment, it was for full-time and the smiles and fist-pumps amongst Coventry’s players (loves those does big Riccardo) said everything as they made their way off the pitch. A good win for them!

On the whole, as I said at the start, Hull can count themselves unlucky. They did have some good spells in the game. The football they played was alright and when they actually went ‘direct’ a few times (sensibly and not just shelling it for the sake of it) with long passes and through balls, I didn’t mind either. It led to the equaliser and in the second half they certainly got on top for a time. The one thing I’d have liked them to have done more is find Jim Simms, give him service and get balls into his feet in higher areas. That didn’t happen much in the first 45 minutes; things broke down a bit in the final third, but along with the set-piece chances in the second half, when they did find him more via open play, he was a threat - had a shot which bounced narrowly wide, nearly scored with the one where Riccardo Di Trolio denied him, and he is a good player who I’d back to get goals at this level based on what I saw in this game.

It will click at some point for Jim Simms and Hull City (no doubts whatsoever about that) but it just wasn’t to be in this game; it happens like that sometimes in football - it’s testament to Coventry’s defensive performance as well because they were decent and deserve that credit, but we move on and there’s plenty more games/opportunities for these players to shine.

Nevertheless, the main reason I came to this game (and had been looking forward to it for absolutely weeks beforehand) wasn’t to get excited by the scoreline - it was to learn about players and even though it wasn’t a pulsating affair like you’d get at first team level where it’s 300mph where the intensity is ridiculous and everything is going on, I got exactly what I wanted from being there. 

It was productive. I learned plenty. There were some good players on show and McKenzie Stretton, Riccardo Di Trolio, Callum Perry, Elliot Betjemann and Aidan Dausch were the stand-outs for Coventry, whilst for Hull, a similar number of lads gave a good account of themselves too.

Amongst the Coventry boys, Luis Lines (No.1) can be happy with his contribution - and in particular that top class save just after the opener where he tipped it onto the post/bar. Callum Perry (No.6) was vocal throughout - led the backline, commanding, had a presence and yeah… decent from him! 

McKenzie Stretton (No.3) was persistent down the left flank throughout the game; a constant threat, very good performance evidenced by his assist and a number of other contributions which will do his confidence wonders. Good player, lively and ought to be bouncing around with enthusiasm this morning because he played a big part - likewise Aidan Dausch (No.14) because when he came on, he was top quality; showed a good touch for Evan Eghosa’s chance and his assist for the winner was fantastic. The in/out argument can go on forever but nobody can question Dausch’s sheer desire and determination to chase that ball down, eventually get there, and it was rewarded with the finish from Charlie Finney (No.15) in the best way it could possibly have been rewarded. Fantastic. Sharp, quick, lively off the bench - some great attributes. Top impact and a very good first impression considering it’s the first time I’ve watched him (to my knowledge anyway).

And then there’s Riccardo Di Trolio; a player I’ve had so much time and respect for ever since watching his U21s debut at Barnsley last season, and this time around he was good again. Used his left-foot well with his distribution, some bits to learn (that will come with age/experience) but underpinning everything is the fact he’s a very bright and promising footballer! His last-ditch tackle - top class and as I’ve said, that was as good as scoring a goal. Massive moment in the game! And he epitomises everything I’m all about; puts his body on the line, cares deeply about his performances, shows passion and enthusiasm, and is just a decent lad with a great attitude; respectful, articulate, likable, good humour and pleasant characteristics on and off the pitch. Solid defensively, he’s only going to get better, and if there’s any Poland or Italy scouts/selectors reading this, it’s worth pointing out that he’s eligible to represent both at international level. Love the fist-pumping and pure heart-on-sleeve passion and it’s going to be a pleasure following your career big man!

That said, my ‘Man Of The Match’ from this game was Elliot Betjemann.

I always think midfield is the hardest position to play because sometimes you can just be anonymous in a game and not make that much of an impact or get noticed. This was the first time I’ve watched him and he was really good - dominating the midfield, looking tenacious, tidy, sharp and not afraid to get at his man, drive with the ball to try and make something happen or win the ball back (which also happened a few times). I saw it in both halves and he uses the ball, moves it, and impacts things really well with a work-rate that can’t be knocked either. It speaks volumes that he’s an U18 ‘playing up’ at U21s level anyway (to my knowledge), but how he set about the game was quality. Lots of Coventry’s good things came through him and MacKenzie Stretton out on the left so keep it up, because it was tremendous to watch!

Amongst the Hull lads, Kyle Fanning (No.2) - strong, stocky, getting up high, lots of energy and an attacking threat which nearly paid dividends with his shot in the second half. Defensively there’s work to do but his attacking qualities were decent and his physique is a massive plus point in his favour. 

Matty Jacob (No.3) - great to see him back first and foremost and building up some minutes; a good interception to win the ball early on inside his own box, a good touch further up just afterwards, and some fine distribution evidenced a few times. Still needs to build up that match sharpness having been out for so long but give him a couple of weeks, more game-time, etc, plus everything he’s done already in football, and he can thrive again and make plenty more memories. 

Likewise, Alfie Taylor (No.6) - kind of made things comfortable for himself with how he played alongside Jevon Mills (No.5). Not a game where he was involved in a brutal physical battle for 90 minutes like you’d get at first team level, etc, but he was strong, has a good frame, decent left-foot, and his distribution was frequently good. Noticed that and look forward to watching him again, whilst Rocco Coyle (No.8) - great vision for the assist (what a ball), had some tidy touches and was involved in some neat bits of play where his passing stood out, plus Joe Johnson (No.7) who took the chance well and showed snippets of what he’s about. Probably, a little bit more needed for them to forcefully stand-out and be the main men (it will happen at some point), but talented players nonetheless and it’s easy to see that.

But Hull’s best player, in my opinion, was Jim Simms (No.9).

The dummy for the goal - great intelligence and he knew exactly what he was doing. Loved watching that and I couldn’t fault his movement on and off the ball, nor his endeavour, attitude and application in wanting to get himself involved in the game on his part (can always see that work-rate/effort and how much someone wants it). He must have covered 12km such was his energy. It’s a shame he had to drop back quite often to get touches - especially in the first 60 minutes where he wasn’t given much of a service up top but when he finally got balls to his feet high up, or was given the chance to drive forward, his technique was good. He looked tidy. He made runs in-behind, flashed one shot narrowly made, nearly got a goal when RDT denied him superbly. I’ll always back my own judgements on a player and even though he didn’t score in this game, his record this season (3 games, 2 goals, 2 assists) proves there is productivity and a good player within him. He also scored the goal that got Hull City to the PDL Play-Offs last season.

In this game he was on the losing side. At times in the future, he will be on the winning team and it’ll be his goals and other contributions (because you can tell he’s got predatory instincts around the box) and his work-rate/movement that will play a massive part in those moments. A good player, I liked the things I saw and his willingness (it stood out), and when it clicks and he gets confidence, then it’s going to be a pleasure to see - plus he's a braver man than me in expressing his personality and wearing those pink boots. Got to be decent to wear those… and he is and I'll enjoy keeping an eye on him and following the rest of his career from this game onwards.

On the whole, a good night out; always nice to learn about players (quite a few I’ve not seen before), see some familiar faces and fist-pumps. Very enjoyable and it certainly put a smile on my face massively after a shit week, because there’s some talent in both of these teams and I look forward to watching them again!

And if there's any of the lads reading this, I just hope this post proves you never know who might be watching, who you might be impressing and what it could lead to, so keep it up - keep striving and I'll back you all the way!

And finally, well done to James Bancroft (the referee) for completing the game this week. I’ve not a Scooby Doo how he managed to give out 4/5 yellow cards but at least it didn't rain!