Hull City Ladies, class of 2025/26 will forever be the side that reached the 4th Round of the FA Cup for the first time. Overcoming a dogged Mancunian Unity in the midst of a Manchester storm, to slide in to the draw that welcomes in the WSL big hitters
The game started brightly, Unity were aggressive and hungry to cause another upset on their continued rise up the pyramid. City however had the first big chance. Hope Knight rolled her marker and drove a shot across to the far post, it just swerving away from the top corner as it travelled
Unity kept the side from two leagues above quiet for much of the second half. Nothing of note from either side, though the hosts made the most noise and threatened in wide areas throughout
Entering the last 10 minutes of the half, the hosts frustrated, but it was Knight again who caused problems. Slipping through the defence before being clattered on the line of the Box, the referee deeming it to be just outside. Jess Andrews free kick couldn’t find the space in the corners
As the visitors now had a foot hold, their attacks became relentless – Izzy Gigg was slipped through though her effort flashed past the far post
Knight, again menace, pinched the ball from the Unity defender, a neat 1-2 with Ackroyd slipped her in, and her finish was a calm dink over the onrushing keeper and in at the far post. Knight 5th in the FA Cup this season, her 17th of the season and 100th for Hull City Ladies across 5 and a half seasons
HT 1-0
At the start of the second half, a floated Hunt delivery from a free kick was only half cleared. Rolling her marker Knight found enough space before picking out Andrew at the back post to volley home her 5th of the season
As the rain kept beating down, the game became every bit as damp as those stood out in the Manchester summer. Knight had two efforts from range, unable to hit the target.
As a cuprous of “the referee’s a…” well you know the rest, rang out from the home faithful the game changed. A good tempered match sudden was driven by the whistle. Unity were the best to react and started to cause a wave of problems
Poor defending allowed the Unity forward to roll in Mitchell on the wing, a good driven strike across Wallace restored a glimmer of hope
The hosts continued to press. Freekicks and corners flew in to the box. On 89 minutes a collision gave a glimmer of hope to the Tier 6 side. But, using every inch of her frame, Wallace got down and tipped the penalty around the post and away
As Unity pushed late on Knight raced through, her low effort skidding past the post of the *checks notes* open net. Oh well
FT 2-1
The draw for the 4th round of the FA Cup wis on Youtube and TNT Sports on Monday 15th December at 7pm