Goals from Liam Cooper and Johnny Margetts saw Hull City Reserves to a 2-0 victory over Rotherham United at North Ferriby on Wednesday night.
There were three changes to the Tigers side that had begun the new season with a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers two weeks earlier. Eldin Jakupovic took over in goal from Joe Cracknell and Sam Topliss came into the defence with Will Aimson dropping out. The other change was up front with Fran McCaffrey coming in to partner Margetts and Lewis Clarkson dropping to the bench.
City almost grabbed an early lead when Danny Emerton’s cross from the right reached Jamie Devitt on the left and he did well to pull the ball back for McCaffrey who placed his shot wide of the post.
The Millers replied with John Travis breaking down the left but from his low cross James Cadman fired over the bar. Millers keeper Andy Warrington prevented Devitt from opening the scoring with a diving save to turn his curling shot round the post before Paul McElroy’s cross from the left was met by McCaffrey who volleyed over the crossbar.
McCaffrey’s through ball then sent Margetts clear but Warrington produced a good save low to his left to deny the City striker. The Tigers were creating the better chances but it took a good save from Jakupovic to keep them on level terms as he pushed Travis’ left foot shot round the post.
Dougie Wilson sent a left foot shot wide from the edge of the box before Emerton saw his shot come back off the post after he had cut in from the right.
The Tigers took the lead in the 39th minute from a corner on the left. McElroy’s corner was returned to the Irish winger by Devitt and his cross was met at the far post by skipper Cooper who looped a header over Warrington and into the net. City doubled their lead in the final minute of the first period.
With Rotherham’s defence pushing up hoping to catch City offside, Emerton raced through himself and with only Warrington to beat, he unselfishly squared the ball for Margetts to knock into the empty net. The Tigers almost added a third goal in stoppage time but McCaffrey’s header from Emerton’s cross hit the crossbar.
City continued to create the better chances in the second period. Emerton’s cross found McCaffrey but his header was kept out by Warrington’s superb point blank save and when Emerton’s left foot shot was curling towards the top corner again it was the intervention of the Millers keeper that denied City.
McCaffrey fired a left foot strike over the bar from Emerton’s pass and when substitute Clarkson was sent clear his attempted lob was claimed by Warrington.
Luke Beedham had a shot deflected for a corner as Rotherham sought to reduce the deficit but once again it was Warrington who kept them in the game, this time blocking McCaffrey’s shot when he was sent clear by Devitt.
Emerton’s return pass then gave Devitt the chance to cap a fine display with a goal but he lifted his volley over the bar.
Hull City: Eldin Jakupovic, Sam Topliss, Conor Townsend, Dougie Wilson (Henry Gill 75), Liam Cooper, Kealan Dillon, Danny Emerton, Jamie Devitt (Matty Dixon 82), Johnny Margetts (Lewis Clarkson 46), Fran McCaffrey, Paul McElroy.
Subs not used: Joe Cracknell, Joel Sutton, Ben Clappison.
Rotherham United, Andy Warrington, Reece Lucas (Harley Wigley 82), Laurence McKay, Mitchell Rose, Daniel Rowe, Dominic Hart, James Cadman (Michael Williamson 46), Phil Woods, Luke Beedham, Alec Denton, John Travis (Giorgio Williams 72).
Sub not used: Tony Thompson.