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Championship play-off: Bristol City 0 Hull City 1
WHO writes Dean Windass's scripts? Just over a year on from scoring the goals that staved off the threat of relegation to the third tier, Hull City's very own Roy of the Rovers once again demonstrated his penchant for the dramatic to shoot the club he has supported since childhood into the promised land of the Premier League.
In a touch of pure theatre that the veteran striker seems to have specialised in throughout a career that has had more than its fair share of controversy and drama, he settled a tense play-off final with a superlative strike that deserved to win a game of this magnitude.
There were six minutes of the first half remaining when a chipped cross from the jet-heeled Fraizer Campbell found its way into the path of the Tigers veteran on the edge of the penalty area.
With the Bristol City defence having been drawn inexorably towards the goal-line, it meant Windass had enough space to settle himself as the ball spent what seemed like an age in the air before unleashing an unstoppable right-footed volley that flew beyond the outstretched hand of Adriano Basso.
It provoked scenes of mass hysteria among the 36,000 Hullensians who had made the trek south dreaming of their heroes taking on Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United next season.
The goal also cemented a place in Tiger folklore for a player who was already a leading contender for the city's favourite footballing son.
Perhaps we should not have been too surprised that it was Windass who was destined to be the hero on the biggest day in Hull's history with his ability to deliver at the most dramatic of times having been evident throughout a career that shows no signs of slowing down despite his advancing years.
This, let's not forget, is the man who marked his return from a five-game ban for abusing a referee in a car park after a game a couple of years ago by scoring a hat-trick for Bradford City. On his 37th birthday.
But, even by Windass's standards, Saturday was something special and it would be a major surprise if the veteran striker ever has to buy a drink in a grateful Hull again.
And who is to say that the final year of his contract at the KC will be any less dramatic?
Would you, for instance, really bet against Windass marking his 40th birthday in April next year by scoring the winner at Anfield? Or Stamford Bridge?
Manager Phil Brown is certainly not discounting the veteran striker ahead of City's first season in the top flight.
He said: "Dean Windass might break Sir Stanley Matthews's record one day. He was 55 wasn't he? People say to me 'at 39, will he still play another season in the Championship let alone the Premier League?' But with his attitude it would be foolish to dismiss him.
"I am not in the business of being sympathetic. Our desire is to survive in the Premier League next season. But if I feel Dean can help us in that, he will continue."
The game, in truth, was not a classic with both sides seemingly weighed down in the opening exchanges by the 60m cash booty that comes with winning the most lucrative club game in world football.
Bristol City did fashion an early chance after five minutes only for Wayne Brown to cleverly shepherd Dele Adebola away from goal before the big striker hit a weak shot straight at Boaz Myhill.
That apart, however, the Tigers backline was rarely troubled for the rest of a first half that, as it gradually wore on, saw the men from Yorkshire exert more and more of an influence.
Michael Turner was unfortunate to see a 20th-minute header pass fly just wide of the post before Windass, sporting blond hair for the day, was just unable to apply the required finish to a cross from Andy Dawson.
When the vital goal came, it was the result of a swift counter-attack with Windass's neat lay-off in the centre of the field finding Nick Barmby.
He quickly found Campbell, who then skipped past the challenge of Liam Fontaine and Louis Carey inside the area before looking up and picking out Windass with a sublime chipped cross.
The veteran striker then did what he does best – finished with aplomb – and the party in the Hull seats was underway.
There were nervous moments in the second half, and particularly in the final 10 minutes when the Robins poured forward in search of an equaliser.
First, the magnificent Turner bravely threw himself in front of a goalbound shot from Lee Trundle before substitute Darren Byfield twice wasted excellent openings.
Then, as the fourth official prepared to hold up the board that would indicate four minutes of stoppage time, Sam Ricketts had to be alert to hack the ball away to safety from inside his own six-yard area after Ivan Sproule's drilled cross had temporarily wrong-footed the City backline.
But no matter how hard Gary Johnson's men pressed, there was no way through a resolute Tigers defence.
It meant that when referee Alan Wiley heeded the anguished cries from the black and amber hordes to blow the final whistle, the mother of all parties that may still be going on now in the East Riding could finally get underway as Hull celebrated casting away, at last, the unwanted distinction of never having played in the top flight of English football.
KEY MOMENTS
5th minute:
Wayne Brown's timely challenge stops striker Dele Adebola putting Bristol City ahead. The Hull defender does enough to ensure Adebola shoots straight at goalkeeper Boaz Myhill after getting goalside of his marker just a few yards from goal.
18th minute:
Another lucky escape as Nick Carle shoots inches wide. The Australian international dodges Michael Turner on the edge of the penalty area but is off balance and under pressure from Wayne Brown and Bryan Hughes as he fails to hit the target.
20th minute:
Hull's first real opportunity of the game sees Dean Windass delivering a far-post cross in the direction of Nick Barmby but defender Bradley Orr bravely gets his head there first to knock the ball out for a corner.
24th minute:
Hull now start to get on top and both Turner and Richard Garcia go agonisingly close with headers. Turner heads wide at a corner and Garcia's effort lands just the wrong side of the crossbar.
28th minute:
Barmby is only inches away from beating Bristol goalkeeper Adriano Basso to a long ball down the middle. Once again Orr, this time with a gentle nudge in the back, plays a crucial role in keeping the scoreline blank.
39th minute:
GOAL – Dean Windass hits a stunning volley to give Hull the lead. Striker Fraizer Campbell sets up the strike by beating two Bristol defenders and delivering a perfect cross to Windass unmarked on the edge of the area.
43rd minute:
Bristol defender Orr leaves the field on a stretcher after receiving lengthy treatment. Orr had suffered a bad cut and a depressed fractured cheekbone when clashing heads with Barmby at the far post in the 20th minute and needed oxygen before his departure.
56th minute:
Bristol apply the pressure again and former Doncaster winger Michael McIndoe is unlucky not to equalise from a 25 yard free-kick. His shot beats the wall but hits Brown on the shoulder and cannons wide.
68th minute:
A cross by Bristol substitute Ivan Sproule has Myhill at full stretch and the Hull goalkeeper nearly diverts the ball into his own net.
71st minute:
Windass leaves the field to a standing ovation from the Hull supporters as manager Phil Brown opts for the fresh legs of Caleb Folan.
85th minute:
Michael Turner throws his body in the way of a close-range shot from Lee Trundle to prevent a late equaliser.
87th minute:
Substitute Darren Byfield wastes another opportunity to equalise for Bristol by heading over the bar. The former Rotherham striker receives the ball courtesy of a flick on by Adebola but is unable to test the Hull goalkeeper.
89th minute:
Hull defender Sam Ricketts hacks the ball off the line just as Byfield looks set to pounce on a dangerous low cross into a crowded area from substitute Ivan Sproule. His interception sparks massive sighs of relief in the Hull end.HOW THEY RATED
Boaz Myhill 7
Fortunate to get away with clawing at a second-half cross and then a weak punch that gave a late chance to Lee Trundle but otherwise showed good handling.
Sam Ricketts 7
Got forward well in the first half down the right flank and kept Michael McIndoe quiet. Also made a vital clearance in closing stages.
Michael Turner 8
Another polished display in the heart of the defence for the club's Player of the Year including a vital block six minutes from time to deny Lee Trundle.
Wayne Brown 7
Capped an excellent season with another solid display at the heart of the defence. Up against the imposing Dele Adebola, Brown dominated in the air.
Andy Dawson 6
A steady game at left-back, though was tested more when Ivan Sproule was brought off the bench. He rose to the challenge and kept it nice and simple.
Richard Garcia 6
Unfortunate not to score in the first half with a header from Sam Ricketts' cross that landed on top of the net, but otherwise he was steady rather than spectacular.
Ian Ashbee 7
Tireless running display from the City captain ensured that his Bristol counterparts in midfield were never allowed to settle on the ball.
Bryan Hughes 7
Again handed the central midfield role he prefers, Hughes was neat and tidy when in possession. The 31-year-old also dove-tailed neatly with his captain.
Nick Barmby* 6
Worked hard and showed some nice touches – never more so than with the goal – but was not as involved as he had been in the two semi-final victories.
Dean Windass** 9
How does he do it? Not only did he finish the move that settled the final, he also started it. Link-up play was excellent. Wonderful technique for goal.
Fraizer Campbell*** 7
Hull did not play to his strengths in the opening quarter, but once the ball was on the floor his pace and trickery came into play, setting up the winning goal.
Substitutes
Matt Duke
Dean Marney*** (90 mins)
Nathan Doyle
Caleb Folan** (71 mins)
Craig Fagan* (67 mins)
Bristol City
Basso; Orr (Johnson 45), Carey, Fontaine, McAllister; Carle (Byfield 76), Noble (Sproule 63), Elliott, McIndoe; Adebola, Trundle. Unused substitutes: Vasko, Weale.
Referee
Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) 7
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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