FOOTBALL
WINDASS FIRES HULL INTO PREMIER LEAGUE
Dean Windass
By Geoff Marsh for express.co.uk
DEAN Windass was the hero as his hometown club Hull ended their 104-year wait for top flight football with victory over Bristol City in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Windass, 39, struck a magnificent volley late in the first half to give Phil Brown’s side a narrow win and a promotion to the Barclays Premier League which will be worth millions of pounds to the Tigers.
In a tight game typical of this Championship season Windass was able to produce the one outstanding moment of quality with his 39th-minute strike and earn himself another trip to face the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea next season.
Gary Johnson’s Robins were only promoted from League One this time last year and despite a spirited performance the top-class experience of Windass, Nicky Barmby and Bryan Hughes in the Hull side proved crucial as they saw out the win.
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I don’t think there is anyone left in Hull today looking at how many supporters we’ve got here. Fantastic!
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The opening minutes were littered with mistakes as both sides set off at a frantic pace before Robins striker Dele Adebola had the first sight of goal in the fifth minute.
A free-kick was not properly cleared and after Marvin Elliott flicked the ball back into the area Adebola out muscled Wayne Brown but failed to get a true connection on his shot and Boaz Myhill saved easily.
Adebola had made a threatening start and created another fine chance for Johnson’s side in the 18th minute.
After finding space wide on the right the burly frontman picked out a clever pass to feed the onrushing midfielder Nick Carle.
The Australian side-stepped the challenge of Michael Turner to break into the area but could only toe-poke the shot wide from 15 yards.
Brown’s men then found their rhythm and went close when full-back Sam Ricketts played an incisive one-two with Windass and crossed for Richard Garcia to loft a header over Adriano Basso but onto the roof of the net.
Another good early cross from Ricketts was headed over by Windass as the Tigers began to turn the screw before the veteran had his moment of glory.
Barmby led a break from the halfway line and timed his pass through to Fraizer Campbell perfectly.
The on-loan Manchester United youngster skipped past the challenge of Liam Fontaine before showing great vision to stand the ball up to the edge of the area where Windass had found a yard of space.
The ball was in the air for a long time but with admirable composure and no little technique Windass struck the ball beautifully to lash past Basso and into the corner.
The game was then held up for over six minutes after Robins’ right-back Bradley Orr suffered a suspected depressed fracture of the cheekbone with manager’s son Lee Johnson coming on in his place.
David Noble had the first effort of the second-half but his free-kick was straight at Myhill before Michael McIndoe headed a Jamie McAllister cross wide.
Bristol City were pushing men forward with Hull content to sit back and use the impressive pace of Campbell on the break.
Barmby and Windass were withdrawn by Brown for the pace of Craig Fagan and Caleb Folan before Lee Trundle created a chance all on his own but shot straight at Myhill.
Time was running out for Bristol City to find an equaliser but Trundle had a chance when Myhill fluffed a punch - but the striker’s shot was brilliantly blocked by Turner.
Substitute Darren Byfield then headed over as Hull clung on for a famous win which will see Premier League football at the KC Stadium come August.
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