Hull City progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup, as goals from Michael Turner and Ian Ashbee saw off Millwall. Phil Brown handed Tony Warner his first start in a Hull City shirt, whilst Manucho was handed his full debut, with Dean Marney and Richard Garcia given their chance in Midfield, with Andy Dawson coming in at full-back after injury had kept him out recently. Millwall also had ex-tiger Gary Alexander on the bench, who helped saved the club with his goals during a dark period for the Tigers.
Record signing Jimmy Bullard was introduced to his new home, and was given a rousing reception by the home crowd. Peter Halmosi had Citys first attempt, but the Millwall keeper, David Forde, did well to hold onto his effort. City took the lead on 15 minutes, after Ricketts was fouled on the right, Andy Dawson crossed into the box, and Turner headed home to give the Tigers the lead. Minutes later, and the Tigers were appealing for a penalty as the ball seemed to hit the arm of Tony Craig in the box from Garcias header, but claims was waved away by Referee Mr Atwell. Warner almost put the game back on level terms, after Ashbees back pass found Warner, his slipped after taking his first touch, under pressure from McLeod, he grabbed the ball which led to an in-direct free kick for the visitors, But Lewis Grabban slipped and the ball flew wide to no avail.
But they should have levelled the game up as it approached half time. A cross into the box was poorly defended by City, and the ball fell into the path of Marc Laird, the KC expected the ball to hit the net, so much was the relief when he somehow fired with from three yards, and it proved to be the last piece of action, before the half time whistle. Mauncho had the first chance of the second half, but his shot was to high. Local boy Nicky Featherstone replaced Halmosi on 66 minutes, and his first piece of action was to find Manucho with a great cross, but his header was saved. Caleb Folan then replaced Manucho, whilst ex-tiger Gary Alexander came on for Milwall. City sealed their passage to the next round in the 84th minute. After Marney’s run, he found Cousin, who layed it on a plate for the Ian Ashbee, and the captain smashed an unstoppable strike in to the top corner from 25 yards. So City go into the draw for the next round on Sunday, and may well be hoping for another home tie, to try and continue on their Road to Wembley.
Trouble occured in the visiting section before Kick off, as Millwall fans trashed seats, Toilet Facillities and concession shutters. A full statment is to be issued in due course from the Police aswell as Stadium Investigations. Chairman Paul Duffen released the following statement after the game:
‘There is no place for this kind of mindless hooliganism in football. It is an ugly throwback to a bygone era which most clubs have long since eradicated from their culture. Hull City Football Club will be seeking full financial compensation from Millwall for all damage and will be makign the strongest representations to the football authorities regarding this incident’
