Hull City 0 - 0 Newcastle (FA Cup) - 03/01/09 - post match reaction from page 21

[Benwell Lad]

Second-string Hull hold Magpies

Louise Taylor

 

 

Resting five key players, including their goalkeeper, captain and principal striker, Phil Brown's side comfortably forced an unwanted replay against a near full-strength Newcastle United.

 

Bar some typical heroics from Shay Given, though, Joe Kinnear's side could well have headed home to Tyneside out of the Cup, leaving under-strength Hull having averted what Brown described as the "distraction" of a replay at St James' Park. Small wonder Kinnear ducked the post-match press conference.

 

Whether the Ireland keeper is still around for the second match remains to be seen. After a statement expressing his "discontent" last week, a parting of the ways could be imminent.

 

Given's first significant save saw him brilliantly palm Daniel Cousin's low shot on to the base of a post after Craig Fagan had dodged Nicky Butt and Steven Taylor down the left before crossing unimpeded. Later, he would deny Cousin, after the striker had spun Fabrizio Coloccini before shooting, and palm away a viciously swerving Geovanni free-kick.

 

Hull thought their nemesis had, finally, been beaten when Michael Turner's header from Dean Marney's corner was flicked on to the woodwork by Damien Duff, guarding the far post, and arguably crossed the line before dropping for Given to gather. With the incident described as "inconclusive" by Brown, Chris Foy was surely right not to allow the "goal" to stand, but it emphasised Newcastle's short-circuit in concentration after a bright start.

 

That false Geordie dawn saw a Michael Owen shot deflected for a corner. Having accelerated on to a long punt, Owen then lifted the ball over the advancing Matt Duke, but narrowly wide of an upright.

 

After one win in 12 games, Hull are discovering the line between success and failure to be similarly fine. "We're starting to get back to that mentality of not being easy to beat, though," reflected a semi-satisfied Brown. "We're improving."

 

The same cannot be said for Newcastle.

 

So the macum slag didn't get her vibrator for Christmas after all.

That is one bitter bitch.