Hull City progressed into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup for the first time since 1977/8 thanks to a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town.
In a game which saw both sides clearly prioritise their league prospects, City emerged as winners of the tie thanks to a second half strike from Nick Proschwitz, the German opening his account for the season after impressing in the reserves recently.
Team Selection
Steve Bruce opted to make nine changes to the team that won at Newcastle on Saturday. Liam Rosenior and Stephen Quinn were the only survivors from the weekend as City brought in Steve Harper, Alex Bruce, Abdoulaye Faye, Joe Dudgeon, George Boyd, David Meyler, Yannick Sagbo, Matty Fryatt and Nick Proschwitz.
The match represented Faye`s first appearance of the season, a much needed return due to the absence of James Chester for the next six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.
Huddersfield meanwhile made ten changes with their focus clearly on Friday`s match with Blackpool; Mark Robins using the full extent of his squad and youth side to face City.
First Half
Whilst City had somewhat struggled to overcome Leyton Orient in Round 2, City were much more assured in this tie, assisted by the home advantage. In front of a crowd only just exceeding 7,000; City were generally the better team in the first-half with Huddersfield searching for a goal on the break. The visitors best chances came via a Gobern header from a free-kick which was directed over whilst Scannell saw his low effort blocked by a recovering Faye in their best opportunity of the half.
In attack, Stephen Quinn was the main focal point of City`s best play, assisted by Yannick Sagbo in a midfield role whilst Nick Proschwitz impressed up-front, a man with confidence after five goals in two reserve outings.
City`s best opportunity of the half came from some incisive attacking play, resulting in Matty Fryatt taking a first-time effort on goal. Despite stretching, Fryatt was able to make a good connection but saw his effort bounce off the foot of the post and back into the arms of keeper Alex Smithies.
Second Half
The second forty-five minutes were much like the first, City dominating possession and territory whilst Huddersfield occasionally threated on the break, particulary after the introduction of a free-running Duane Holmes.
The deadlock was finally broken just before the hour mark as George Boyd`s right wing cross was missed by the Huddersfield defence and Matty Fryatt, allowing Proschwitz to make a powerful connection that flew past Smithies. It was a fine striker by the German who enjoys scoring in cup competitions and who has again given Bruce a reminder of his finishing ability.
Proschwitz should have added a second late on as Smithies passed the ball straight to the striker, Proschwitz though firing over when presented with the opportunity whilst the returning Gedo, on for Matty Fryatt, narrowly missed connection with an Abdoulaye Faye header across goal.
Huddersfield`s final chance came again from the head of Gobern but he headed over under pressure in added time, ensuring City`s safe and rare progression into round 4.
What did we learn?
Despite progression into the fourth round for the first time since 1977/8, Steve Bruce is unlikely to take the competition any more seriously than he has to date. Although our opponents will be found out this evening, Bruce is sure to make wholesale changes when the next round is played.
The game allowed a number of City`s fringe players to again stake a claim for a starting place whilst Alex Bruce and Abdoulaye Faye were given valuable game time, much needed as Steve Bruce decides who to start with against West Ham United on Saturday.
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