AYLESBURY UNITED A-A HITCHIN TOWN – ROY’S NON-MATCH REPORT

Hitchin suffered a frustrating afternoon when their game against Aylesbury United was abandoned after 32 minutes because of a waterlogged pitch at Chesham. The decision by the referee was certainly questioned afterwards. While the rain had been heavy from the start of the game the ball was not holding up. But after 25 minutes the referee stopped the game and began testing various areas of the pitch to see if the ball would bounce or roll. There was some surface water but it was surprising he did not let the game go to half-time and then ask the ground staff to fork away any excess water and review the conditions and see if the rain was still heavy.

I spoke to Ciaren Jones and he told me both teams wanted the game to continue but the referee did not agree so after 32 minutes the game was abandoned. It was really disappointing as Hitchin had produced as dominant a performance as at any stage of this season. They were 2-0 ahead and it could have been more.

From the first whistle Hitchin attacked Aylesbury. Fernando Bell-Toxtle had a shot headed off the line in the first minute and from the corner Kye Tearle had a shot deflected over the bar. Then in the fourth minute Lewis Franklin finished from close range after a good build up. Hitchin remained in control and Tearle came close after 14 minutes. Just one minute later Josh Jackman headed home from a corner. Taylor Rhiney came close before Tyler McGregor made a great save from Fabian Garcia. This was a rare Aylesbury attack and Hitchin remained on top before the referee called a halt to the game.

So very frustrating but also very encouraging if we can maintain this level of performance.

McGregor
Jackman
Kane
Syme
Briggs
Jones
Tearle
Bell-Toxtle
Rhiney
Franklin
Nicolson

Subs:
Butler
Gleeson
Longden
Freitas-Gouveia
Gbolahan

By Roy Izzard