In a cagey affair, Hull were able to take advantage of some poor defending to overcome a York side who, despite a committed performance, did not have the class to threaten the visiting team.
The first ten minutes placed York at a disadvantage which would prove impossible to overturn. The home side did, however, have the first meaningful chance as Greg Fearn charged forward, playing the ball to the impressive Will Dodgson, who was unable to convert.
It was Hull, though, who were already looking the most threatening and so it proved as they made the breakthrough early on. The ball was worked up the right before being crossed into the centre for the striker to sweep beyond keeper Shaun Henderson. York’s woes were furthered when a free kick given away by Matt Wilcox was swung in, and with marking non-existent, Hull doubled their advantage thanks to a headed effort.
These were early blows for York but to their credit they did not let their heads go down and managed to create some promising opportunities. Greg Fearn played a dangerous ball into the box but no one was able to get on the end of it. The story was similar when a York corner led to a chance for captain Chris Boyd who was just unable to squeeze the ball past the Hull defender.
Soon after, Hull had a great chance to make the three, but their striker fluffed his lines. York, though, were enjoying their most encouraging period of the game, with Dodgson pulling the strings adeptly in midfield. Striker David Kirk had a shot cleared off the line, and after a marauding run from centre back Boyd, his subsequent cross reached Kirk who was again unable to apply the necessary finish. As the whistle blew for the interval, York could be pleased with a much improved performance during the latter stages of the first half.
There would be no repeat of the horror start in the first half, and York seemed a little more secure defensively in the second period, if still lacking that cutting edge up front. Nonetheless, from corners the home side still remained vulnerable and Hull nearly converted one as York failed to clear. Dodgson, Kirk and George Clark did almost give York a glimmer of hope after some neat play, but Kirk’s cross managed to evade everyone.
Nevertheless, It was Hull, who, far from inspiring themselves, were still looking the most likely to find the back of the net. The York defence were still finding it difficult to clear their lines and Hull were unlucky to extend their lead when their striker just curled the ball past the right-hand upright.
Chances were few and far between for York but a Hull handball allowed Fearn to swing in a free kick which Boyd was able to reach, sparking a scramble in the box until the grateful Hull keeper managed to clutch the ball.
Substitute Andy Hutt broke through the Hull defence only to shank his shot, and Dan Collins could not reach a Kirk cross. The scoreline was finally put beyond doubt after another weaving run from a Hull player led to a cross which evaded the York backline, and was placed past Henderson to make it 0-3. This proved to be the last meaningful play, and brought to an end a game where unfortunately York’s effort and commitment was not enough to make up for Hull’s ultimately superior quality.
VISION MOTM: Will Dodgson.