Goals
38 - Julian Johnsson - Johnsson towered to head home a David Beresford corner from close range.
Bookings
Andy Holt, Ryan Williams
Tigers Line-Up
(4-4-2) Musselwhite, Holt, Wicks, Greaves, Edwards, Beresford, Sneekes, Johnsson, Williams, Alexander, Rowe (Roberts 25)
Not Used - Glennon, Van Blerk, Morley, Philpott
Attendance
3,400 - Around half of which were City supporters. Easily the Shaymen's biggest League gate of the season.
Brief Notes
To follow...
They Said
Brian Little, speaking to the Official Site, www.hullcityafc.net
"It was important for us to get something and we did that. Having said that, I think anyone who expected us to come here and play out of our skins after the way we've performed on our travels lately was expecting a bit too much. Obviously we want to play well but sometimes you have to grind out a result and that's exactly what we did."
"As the game went on Halifax had a strong wind at their backs and they put quite a few long balls into the box which caused a bit of mayhem but we defended reasonably well. And thankfully at the end when Paul Musselwhite was called upon he pulled off a couple of excellent saves, but their keeper also made one or two in the first half. We also missed chances either side of halftime but in the end I thought we just about deserved the three points."
"What we did do well was put up a defensive four and a midfield four when we had to and that's something we've worked on. Ryan Williams and David Beresford aren't the biggest and strongest players in the world but if we get the shape right they can be good defenders when we need them to be. We protected the back four better than we have in recent games and that's why in the end Halifax had to keep throwing a long ball in to try and get behind us."
On the dropping of Lawrie Dudfield...
"We decided that Lawrie needed a rest and had a good chat with him earlier in the week. Rodney Rowe has looked sharp over the past fortnight or so and we just felt that it would do Lawrie some good to sit out and watch a couple of games. He understood that and accepted the decision, and the most important thing was that we went to Halifax and got a result. Had we not done so then people could have had a pop at us for leaving our record signing out of the side and it was a gamble. But it's come off and I think once Lawrie has had a few days away from the pressure and expectation that surrounds him he'll come back refreshed and raring to go again."
On the unfortunate injury to Rodney Rowe
"I'm not quite sure what the diagnosis will be but it seems as though he could have broken his jaw and the neck brace was there to give him support. His face was very bloated and it really is sad for him because every time he's started for us this season he's had to come off injured. I do feel for him and it looks as though he will be missing for a while which is a big blow for us." |
