Hull City Academy progressed to the semi-finals of the East Riding Senior Cup after an entertaining 5-2 victory over Hall Road Rangers at Haworth Park.

Ahmed Salam’s hat-trick and Harry Wood’s brace secured the Tigers’ place into the semi-final of the prestigious trophy, with Rich Medcalf and Dan O’Connor netting for Hall Road.

 Hull City took the lead in the opening minute as Josh Hinds was fouled in the penalty area and the referee awarded the spot kick. Salam stepped up and sent goalkeeper Jody Barford the wrong way to open the scoring. Hall Road nearly responded moments later as Kallum Findlay volleyed wide at the back post before at the other end, Hull defender Matty Swift’s long pass found Luke Rees, but the striker poked his finish wide of the goal.

There was chances galore for both teams in the opening twenty minutes with Hull’s Jake Bayram heading wide from a Wood corner, before Medcalf and Charlie Birley both fired separate chances off-target for the hosts. Callum Stone then fired his fierce free-kick narrowly wide before captain Medcalf got the equaliser. Lewis Andrews’ free-kick was headed down and Medcalf claimed he got the final touch, finishing from close-range to score.

However, Hull re-took the lead just two minutes later as Salam’s dipping free-kick beat the despairing dive of Barford to put the Tigers ahead. Hall Road nearly then scored another equaliser just before half-time through a goalmouth scramble, but David Robson produced a smart save to block the loose ball, before Barford had to alert to hold Rees’ drive.

In the second half, chances continued to be created in a great attacking display from both teams. Birley’s low-strike just went past the wrong side of the post before Rees saw his point-blank header saved by Barford after meeting Josh Ward’s cross. The visitors doubled their lead on the 49th minute as another cross from Ward found Wood at the back post, and the midfielder slotted the ball under Barford to score.

Salam was then denied his hat-trick as Barford produced a stunning save to push his drive onto the woodwork before Hall Road scored their second goal of the match. A lovely through-ball by Tommy Waud released O’Connor and the forward made no mistake to dispatch the ball past Robson.

It was end-to-end action as Rees’ deflected shot narrowly went wide before from the resulting corner, Alex John poked his effort at Barford. The Tigers’ scored their fourth goal on the 77th minute as Barford’s pass went straight to Salam, who drove into the box before rifling his finish into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick.

The visitors did have the majority of the chances in the last ten minutes of the game, with Hinds’ initial shot being blocked before Rees clipped the post with a curling effort. Bayram’s deflected free-kick was saved by Barford before Swift headed wide from a McCauley Snelgrove cross.

Hall Road nearly got a consolation in stoppage-time as Luke Bulletment squared the ball back for Birley, but his effort was well-saved by an onrushing Robson, before Wood scored the pick of the game’s goals, lobbing Barford just inside Hall Road’s half to secure his brace.

TEAMS:

HALL ROAD RANGERS: 1. Jody Barford (GK), 2. Tommy Waud, 3. Callum Stone, 4. Lewis Andrews, 5. Chris Murphy, 6. Alex Knaggs, 7. Dave Harrison (12. Will Broadway 74’), 8. Kallum Findlay (15. Adam Parker 83’), 9. Rich Medcalf (C), 10. Charlie Birley, 11. Dan O’Connor (14. Luke Bulletment 61’). Substitutes (Not Used): 16. Aiden Marshall, 17. Conner Harman.

HULL CITY ACADEMY: 1. Dave Robson (GK), 2. Josh Ward, 3. Harry Lovick, 4. Harry Wood, 5. Matty Swift, 6. Jake Bayram, 7. Josh Hinds, 8. Ryan Hanson (15. McCauley Power 39’), 9. Luke Rees, 10. Alex John (17. Will Jarvis 85’), 11. Ahmed Salam (14. McCauley Snelgrove 81’). Substitutes (Not Used): 12. Harry Fisk (GK), 16. Harvey Carew. 

Hall Road Rangers Manager Leon Sewell:

“I thought the game was played in good spirits considering the heavy playing surface due to the wet weather we have recently had.  I’m obviously disappointed that we have exited the competition, but when you make costly errors in front of your own goal then you are likely to get punished at any level never mind coming up against young, full-time and professional footballers.

“We gave ourselves a lifeline twice to get back into the game of which Hull City showed maturity and togetherness to extend their lead and see the game out right to the very end. Good luck to John Anderson, Matt Hare and their Hull City side in the next round of the competition.

“For us, given that it’s a new squad we had to assemble in pre-season, our main focus was to remain in NCEL 1 for the season, to compete strongly and bring some stability to the club on and off the pitch. Now we can wholly concentrate on ensuring we keep our league status and start putting wheels in motion for next season. We’ll be back in training Thursday night and ensure we prepare for Saturday’s away fixture in the league to Hallam FC.”

Hull City Forward Ahmed Salam: 

“I thought we were good tonight. I think we started off well, especially first minute by winning a penalty and then we managed to get a early lead. Obviously that gives momentum and I thought we could go on and win the game and then I think all the boys dug in.

“Hall Road Rangers are a big and physical side and they like to get men into the box and be physical, but I think we coped well and we managed to get through it as a team and then obviously our quality came through and we was good for the five goals we scored. We could have been tidier in defence, but I think the main thing is that we’re through to the next round.

“It’s obviously good to get goals and to get three is great. The main aim was just to help out the team and help them to get through to the next round as that’s more important than anything. The aim is to win the East Riding Senior Cup. I think we definitely have the quality and I really do think we can win it.”