The Mariners took on Championship side Hull City in a closely-fought behind-closed doors friendly this afternoon.

A late second half winner from 20-year-old forward Tyrell Sellars-Fleming was the only goal in a tightly contested match between two evenly matched sides.

Debutant goalkeeper, Christy Pym started the match in net, with a defence made up of Reece Staunton, Doug Tharme, Cameron McJannet and Harvey Rodgers. The midfield was made up of Jamie Walker, George McEachran and Evan Khouri with a front three of Charles Vernam, Henry Brown and Cameron Gardner.

FIRST HALF

The Mariners began the first half on the back foot, with the hosts controlling both possession and territory in the opening minutes.

This early pressure began to subside, with neat interplay between Jamie Walker and Charles Vernam causing the Hull City backline a headache in the 12th minute.

A first-time ball behind the Tiger’s defensive line found Vernam, who looped an effort just over the crossbar before the linesman called the play back for a handball by the Town number 30.

Moments later, Vernam again was afforded too much space, delivering a low and dangerous cross which was palmed away by Hull City’s Dillon Phillips.

Just past the half hour mark Jamie Walker worked an opportunity beyond the host’s defence, but his resulting effort trickled agonisingly wide of the post.

10 minutes later, Evan Khouri saw a big chance saved by Phillips in the Hull net, getting on the end of a neat passing move, but firing his first time effort tamely goalwards.

SECOND HALF

The second half began with Seb Auton taking the place of Pym in net.

The Mariners began in a similar fashion as the end of the first 45 minutes, with an early effort from Cameron Gardner fired just wide of the right upright in the opening moments.

As the clock hit the hour mark, David Artell shuffled his side making a further nine changes.

The defence was made up of Jayden Sweeney, Matty Carson, Fortune Onoh and Tyrell Warren. The midfield saw the introduction of Kieran Green, Geza David Turi, Elliott Smith and Darragh Burns, with Jaze Kabia replacing Cameron Gardner up front.

In the 67th minute, a sharp counterattack from the Mariners resulted in an overload on the right flank, with Henry Brown capitalising, latching onto a loose ball and firing just wide of the target.

Academy youngster, Charlie Hatton came on just after the 70th minute mark, in place of Henry Brown in midfield.

Despite a strong and relatively comfortable display up until that point, the hosts got their opener in the 76th minute with forward, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming dispossessing Seb Auton and poking the ball into the back of the net, against the run of play.

Despite the late setback, the Mariners continued to push for an equaliser. Kabia proved to be a handful for the Tiger’s backline, earning Town a corner kick after some neat footwork in the box in the 79th minute.

Moments later Kabia again made himself a nuisance, forcing his way beyond the final City defender and looping an effort wide of the target before the linesman called back play for offside.

The visitors came close to adding a second goal in the 83rd minute, but for a fantastic clearance off the line by Matty Carson.

As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, there were shouts for a late penalty with Kabia hauled to the ground, but the referee called the play back for offside.

Town continued to push for a late equaliser with Sweeney delivering a dangerous low cross right across the face of goal, but the Hull goalkeeper claimed well.

Town now turn their focus to an away trip to local side Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday 15th July, as preparations for the new season continue.

Town: Pym, Staunton, Tharme, McJannet, Rodgers, Khouri, McEachran, Walker, Vernam, Brown, Gardner
(Substitutes): Auton (45’), Sweeney, Kabia, Onoh, Green, Burns, Warren, Turi, Carson, Smith (60’), Hatton (75’)

UTM