Venue: Boothferry Park, Hull
Nationwide Football League Division 3
Attendance: 13,949
Line Ups:
Hull City
1. Andy Oakes, 2. Steve Swales, 3. Jon Whitney, 4. Mike Edwards, 5. Mark Greaves,
6. Gary Brabin, 7. Gerry Harrison, 8. Dave D'Auria, 9. Duane Darby, 10. Colin
Alcide, 11. Gareth Williams. Subs: 12. David Brown (Darby 73 mins), 13. Brian
McGinty (Harrison 21 mins), 14. Jason Perry
Scarborough Town
1.
Tony Parks, 2. Graham Carr, 3. Graeme Atkinson, 4. Gary Porter, 5. Sean McAuley,
6. Shaun Rennison, 7. Jamie Hoyland, 8. Paddy Atkinson, 9. Chris Tate, 10. Nathan
Jones, 11. Darren Roberts. Subs: 12. Andy Saville (Roberts 69 mins), 13. Ben
Worrall (Porter 69 mins) 14. Liam Robinson (P. Atkinson 81 mins)
To many neutral observers football is dead in the City of Hull. A team near to the foot of the Football League, with nothing to gain from another miserable season in a home derby against another one of those perennial East Coast strugglers Scarborough. Then again, as they say, "it's a funny old game", and a massive 14000 turned up for this match. Not since 1988 has such a crowd packed into Boothferry Park for a league game, and what an occasion it turned out to be. At 2.40 the announcement was made that the kick-off was to be delayed for 15 minutes, due to the amount of people trying to get into the ground, an unprecedented event in City's recent history. By the time of the kick-off the crowd generated an atmosphere which will be remembered for many a year. Even the 1500 Scarborough fans joined in the fun.
City were forced into two changes for the game, the suspended Justin Whittle and Warren Joyce being replaced by Mark Greaves and Sunderland loan player Gerry Harrison. Scarborough also had a flu bug to contend with in their side, which meant that there was a place for former Tiger Graeme Atkinson at left-back. Also facing their former team were Gareth Williams, Steve Swales and Dave D'Auria. Former City striker Andy Saville had to be content with a place on the bench.
City seemed to rise to the occasion from the kick-off and D'Auria had the first chance in the second but he put his shot wide. City's first proper goal scoring opportunity fell to Gary Brabin but he put his header wide. All the early possession belonged to City but it was never in the danger areas. This gave 'Boro some hope and they started to fashion chances of their own, Tate heading weakly at Oakes from Atkinson's cross. After 21 minutes City were forced to change their tactics after Harrison jarred his back after going on one of many runs which were troubling the Scarborough defence. Brian McGinty replaced him but he failed to have the same impact as Harrison had been having. Scarborough chances came sporadically, Roberts shooting wide after ghosting past Mike Edwards. After the early pressure both teams seemed to cancel each other out, and with the crowd getting restless, Williams failed to convert City's last chance of the half, putting his header wide after good work by Swales.
As the players returned to the pitch for the second half the Tigers faithful once again raised their voices to try and will City to victory. After 4 minutes of the second half their effort was rewarded, and once again it was the new City hero, Gary Brabin, who scored the goal. His header from 12 yards had the veteran Parks beaten from the moment it left his forehead. The crowd exploded and the roar could probably be heard in Scarborough. The goal also prompted a minor pitch invasion from the Kempton Stand but Police and Stewards managed to keep the situation under control. After the goal City dominated play and should have buried 'Boro but their resolute five man defensive unit managed to hold firm and with City sitting on a single goal lead there was always a chance that Scarborough could get back into the game.
The home faithful's worst fears were realised in the 78th minute when Scarborough won their second corner of the half, after terrible defending from Greaves and Swales. From the corner Andy Oakes came out, decided against it and the ball looped over his head into the net from the head of the experienced Jamie Hoyland. City heads seemed to drop after this setback and Scarborough were happy enough with a point so the game petered out with neither side having a decent chance to clinch the victory.
At the final whistle most City fans agreed that it was two points dropped whereas the 'Boro fans rejoiced in the fact that the point had lifted them off the bottom of the table.
Report by: James Rhodes