Devon Kelly-Evans on target for the Sky Blues as they suffer defeat against the Tigers...
Nicky Eaden's Under-23 side fell to defeat against Hull City at the KCOM Stadium, as the home side came from behind to claim the three points.
An even contest in the opening stages, it was City who fashioned the first chance of the contest. Callum Maycock and Jacob Whitmore linked well on the right hand side, as the former slid it towards Devon Kelly-Evans. In behind the Hull backline, only a superb block prevented the skipper opening the scoring.
Kelly-Evans would this time play the role of creator, as his pinpoint corner found the head of Cian Harries. The defender flicked it goalwards, only to be denied by a clearance off the line.
The home side’s first opportunity came after a lovely passage of play that seen Jarrod Bowen released down the left. He whipped a teasing ball across the six-yard box, but Darragh Leahy was on hand to slice clear under pressure from a Tigers shirt.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half, with Kelly-Evans putting the away side in the lead. Kyle Spence’s through ball found Jordan Shipley, and the midfielder unselfishly laid it off for the striker to finish into the bottom corner.
However, the lead wouldn’t last long as Hull equalised just moments later. Robbie McKenzie picked up the ball on the edge of the area, worked the ball inside, and found the bottom corner from 25-yards out to level proceedings.
In a frantic ten minute spell, the home side suddenly found themselves ahead. Bowen was played through on goal and produced a delicate chip over the onrushing Corey Addai to put his side ahead.
The home side made a triple change at the interval, but it didn’t seem to stop their attacking intent. Johan Ter Horst was played in behind the City defence, but seen his effort beat Addai and cannon back off the post.
The Tigers continued to come forward, looking threatening at each attack and soon gave themselves breathing space. Trialist advanced on goal and slid the ball under Addai to double Hull’s advantage just after the hour mark.
The Sky Blues looked for a route back into the contest and very nearly got a goal back through Kelly-Evans. The forward’s inswinging free kick cannoned back off the crossbar and was eventually cleared to safety in what turned out to be a frustrating evening for Nicky Eaden’s side.
Teams:
Coventry City: Addai (GK), Whitmore, Harries, Leahy, Camwell (McMahon 80'), Lawton (Bayliss 76'), Shipley, Maycock, Spence, Sayoud (Hickman 75'), Dev. Kelly-Evans (C).
Subs: Scuza (GK), Smith.
Hull City: Andrew (GK), Barkworth, Tymon (Fleming 45'), Batty, Maslen-Jones (Hinchliffe 45'), McKenzie, Horst, Olley (C), Trialist, Annan, Bowen (Ritson 45').
Subs: Croudson (GK), Lofts.