HULL UNITED (Craven Park)

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, HULL UNITED 1-2 PENISTONE CHURCH, ATTENDANCE: 498

After making the trip along the M62 last time out to visit Hall Road Rangers, it was take two as I made the same journey but this time to watch city rivals Hull United

Like Rangers, Hull United are playing at a rugby ground after leaving Dene Park after a dispute with the owners. Hull United are playing their home games at the magnificent New Craven Park, the home of rugby league side Hull Kingston Rovers.

The football club has been in existence for a decade having been formed in 2005 as St Andrews Police Club. The club were founder members of Division One of the Humber Premier League and in 2008 they won Division One and promotion to the Premier Division. 

In 2009 they changed their name to St Andrews and once again in 2014, this time to Hull United. The club also adopted a new nickname, The Citizens, changed their colours to black and white and relocated to Dene Park, the former home of Hall Road Rangers, leaving their original base at East Mount Recreation Centre behind.

The 'East' Stand terrace

In January 2015 the club appointed ex Sheffield United player (and professional boxer) Curtis Woodhouse as manager, with ex Hull City player Ian Ashbee as his assistant. The pair led the club to runners up spot in the Humber Premier Division and they gained promotion to Division One of the Northern Counties East League.

In September 2015 club founder and former chairman Jamie Waltham announced he would no longer be working with the club and, as owner of the ground, he and the club were unable to agree on a lease to play at Dene Park and the team were locked out, forcing the postponement of a game. 

The Main 'West' Stand

As a result, the club needed to find a new home and an agreement was reached to play at home of Hull Kingston Rovers, how long this agreement lasts remains to be seen, hence the reason for my trip here today.

New Craven Park, currently known as the KC Lightstream Stadium for sponsorship purposes, has been home to Hull KR since it's inauguration in 1989. The ground is undergoing redevelopment, with the Colin Hutton North Stand, opened in 2013, bringing the capacity of the ground up to just over 12,000. The south stand is next in line to be upgraded. Despite the relative age of the ground, it does have the feel of a classic old stadium, especially the Main stand, which was the only part of the ground open today..

The Colin Hutton 'North' Stand, opened in 2013

There was a decent crowd, of just under 500, in attendance today, largely due to tickets given away to school children, but on a bitterly cold afternoon, the game did nothing to warm the cockles.

The conditions were not conducive to producing a classic match as heavy rain and strong winds moved in as the game kicked off.

It was Penistone who adapted best and they took the lead inside 10 minutes when a corner was whipped into the penalty area and Hull failed to clear their lines, after a little ping pong the ball was put into the net by Steve Kenworthy.

Penistone had further chances to extend their lead, including a glorious opportunity from the penalty spot, but Danny Barlow's effort was saved by Hull's Phil Dobson (pictured left). 

In conceding the penalty defender James Piercy was shown a straight red card, leaving Hull to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.

Early in the second half Penistone saw an effort crash back off the upright as they searched for a second goal but late on Hull came up with an unlikely equaliser. On 71 minutes, a free kick was swung into the box and Jordan Harrison headed home.

Their joy though was short lived as with 10 minutes remaining a Penistone corner was headed home by substitute Jack Moore to give Church the 3 points and, on the balance of play, deservedly so.