Northampton 0 Hull City 2 - Brave Tigers saluted

It was a low-quality contest but first-half goals from Keane Lewis-Potter and George Honeyman were more than sufficient in making it three wins from three.

“I think the game was everything we thought it would be,” said Tigers chief Grant McCann. “They play in a certain way and have a certain style and like to get the ball forward very quickly.

“They fling things into your box from throw-ins and corners and you’ve got to stand up and be counted and I thought – to a man – we showed real bravery.

“We then capped it off with two excellent goals and could have scored another couple in the second half but all in all we’re delighted with another three points.

“The first goal is something we’ve worked on in the training ground and it was an excellent delivery and a good header and then I was delighted with the second goal because it was a great pass and a nice finish.

“It’s difficult when you’re playing against a team where there’s not going to be any real football in the game and they sometimes suck you into that way of playing.

“We’re pleased with the victory and it’s a good start to the season – but it’s only a start.”

Hull struck against the run of play when Honeyman’s free-kick was headed home by an unmarked Lewis-Potter.

They made it 2-0 a minute before half-time as debutant Hakeeb Adelakun slipped through Honeyman and he slotted the ball past goalkeeper Steve Arnold.

Northampton Town: Arnold, Luca Racic (Adams 84), Bolger, Martin; Marshall (Chukwuemeka 72), Watson, Missilou, Mills; Warburton (Nuttall 54), Smith, Hoskins. Unused substitutes: Harriman, Mitchell, Lines, Roberts.

Hull City: Ingram, Emmanuel, Burke, De Wijs, Elder, Alfie Jones, Honeyman; Docherty, Adelakun (Scott 70), Magennis, Lewis-Potter (Batty 88). Unused substitutes: Long, Coyle, McLoughlin, Mayer, Callum Jones.

Referee: A Young (Cambridgeshire).

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Thank you

James Mitchinson