Report
There is an old saying about travelling hopefully, and indeed the team coach was filled to capacity and indeed all the occupants were hoping that the journey might yield the first points of the season. There was some high jinx on the coach where it appeared that one if the players was locked in the lavatory. There was some concern, but it transpired to be a prank. Many believe that it contributes to team bonding.
I recall a fellow official at Dunstable who, witnessing some horse play amongst the players told me that it was all good for team bondage, unaware that his malapropism had caused extra amusement.
So, it was the Leicestershire Canaries, second from bottom versus the Hertfordshire Canaries, lamentably propping up the league. Too early to call it a six pointer was the view in the Barwell Board room. Our present visit contrasted greatly with our last excursion here when Nuneaton Borough hired the stadium in what turned out to be their last match in the Southern League, being forced to resign for financial reasons.
Team news for Hitchin was that Kyle Forster continued in goal in place of James Callan, Stephen Gleeson returned from suspension and Lewis Barker from injury. There were starts for Jay Rolfe and new signing Sam Caiger.
A fierce opening by the hosts saw a decent cross from Medrano that was dealt with and at the other end Wilson had a blocked shot. Barker’s hopeful up and under did cause a few problems for the Barwell defence and they turned defence into attack with some smart play from Hickey and Brown- Hill.
Brown- Hill made an incursion into the box, lost possession and claimed a penalty vociferously but he was the sole claimant. Hitchin appeared to be playing a high line and were so far avoiding its exploitation. Even so, Forster was needed to race from his goal to affect a thumping clearance. Kpapke, under little pressure conceded a corner from a questionable back pass and this brought another, and then a third. Forster saved on the line and held the resultant corner very well.
Brooks, in one Hitchin attack, managed a cross with no-one ready for it, but this opening quarter of an hour provided an even contest so far. Barker essayed another lofted ball and this almost paid dividends. But at the other end, habitual scorer and Barwell skipper Hicky, blasted a shot that ricocheted off the cross bar. Hickey scored two in his last match at Biggleswade, where Barwell drew and gained their first point of the season
Barker was proving influential in defence as the hosts began to press more earnestly and Forster drew praise for his one-handed save from a Hickey shot. He then made a point blank save from the corner when Osbourne looked set to score. Some relief from this pressure was needful. This was achieved with some good Hitchin possession and some good attacking play from Kpapke, which brought a corner, robustly cleared by the hosts.
We were at the half-hour mark, and Wilson had a chance similar to Hickey’s, but he put the effort over the crossbar. A long throw from Hitchin seemed the right idea and home keeper Highland appeared to fluff his lines, but the whistle went for a foul. Hill proved himself a tricky chap with a clever bit of play, but this Barwell attack only brought a corner and the ball into the waiting gloves of Forster.
There remained about five minutes and Hitchin were containing home threats with good defending, particularly from Barker. The experience of Gleeson was also a factor in Hitchin’s favour. A late attack involving Medrano and Master brought a corner and again Forster was commanding. That was it for an entertaining first half.
There was a substitution for Hitchin with Caiger being replaced by Franklin. Then, with the visitors blooming static, Deen Master ran in possession unchallenged and his low shot deceived Forster and thus the hosts had taken the lead in the forty-ninth minute. It just seemed like a lapse in concentration. It also blew apart my score in the Prediction League of a goal- less draw, which given the final result seems absurdly optimistic.
A response from Hitchin was urgently required but instead, home marksman Hickey had an illustrious shot which Forster saved notably, to deserved applause, and then needed some treatment. Home pressure continued, relieved a little by a Hitchin free kick, which culminated in a fair shot from Barker, held by Highland.
A long throw into the area was cleared just before Hall replaced Wilson. Hill had a really clear chance to make it 2-0 but he out his effort wide but gained a corner. Before it could be taken there was a double substitution for Hitchin with Titchmarsh and Sears replacing Kpapke and Gleeson. A double effort in the Hitchin penalty area was blocked but the initiative was firmly with the Leicestershire Canaries.
They won another corner, and this provided a successful free header for Scott McManus who was no doubt pleased to double the advantage and we had played sixty- five minutes. There had been an inexplicable fall off in Hitchin’s play since the interval and the onerous task of saving the game appeared to be beyond them. Albie Hall was yet to get a touch, with no service seemingly available.
Connor Vincent won a free kick, and this brought a semblance of an attack which was quickly dealt with and indeed the hosts were awarded a free kick where had there been a more tangible connection, it would have brought the third goal.
Toby Syme symbolised frustration when he received a somewhat harsh caution and still, we waited for a constructive attack on the Barwell goal. A free kick just inside the Hitchin half was suggestive but Hall seemed to get entangled with the ball and was easily dispossessed.
Barwell made a substitution with scorer, Master replaced by Leroy Lita, a player we encountered last season at both Nuneaton and Coalville. Moments later Lita added the third goal with virtually his first touch, and we had reached the last ten minutes of this game which saw Hitchin fall apart as a unit in a dismal second half in which all five substitutes were used.
Then, astonishingly, a clearance up field, seemingly destined for no-one saw the old campaigner Lita bag his second goal in typically opportunistic fashion. The goal was timed at eighty- five minutes. What had been an even contest had turned into a rout and it really is not good enough. Even Morrell’s late shot was so much off target it brought the derisory chant of ‘How wide do you want the goal?’ I could give an answer.
Then there was some petulant behaviour superbly handled by the referee, who impressed offending players that jaw- jaw is better than war-war. The few minutes added on simply prolonged Hitchin’s agony, and it does not augur well to lose five successive games and be without a point. Remember, this defeat was against a team just one place above and until today, with a solitary point. It should not have been four- nil.
No doubt there will be changes and with the upcoming FA cup game against neighbours Berkhamsted and so there will be a brief respite from the hitherto painful league campaign.
BARWELL
Will Highland, Jahdahn Fridye- Harper, Olly Brown- Hill, Herve Pepe- Ngoma, Isiah Osbourne, ( Jack Rogers), Scott McManus, man of the match, GOAL, 65 minutes, 2-0, Lamine Sherif, Jiah Medrano, ( Tristan Dunkley), Deen Master, GOAL, 1-0, 49 minutes, ( Leroy Lita, TWO GOALS, 81 3-0, and 85 minutes, 4-0, Brady Hickey, captain, Ethan Hill. Substitutes not used – Anthony Manocchio, Ben Challinor.
HITCHIN TOWN
Kyle Forster, Samuel Caiger, (Lewis Franklin), Alex Kpapke, (Dan Sears), Lewis Barker, Hitchin star man, Jay Rolfe, Toby Syme, cautioned, Stephen Gleeson, (Harry Titchmarsh), Kieron Forbes, Connor Vincent, (George Morrall), Coree Wilson, (Albie Hall), Liam Brooks, captain. All substitutes used.
Referee, Mr Elliott Kaye, who had an outstanding game was ably assisted by Mr Ali Cera and Mr Gary Lord.
Attendance- 372
REPORT BY PIPEMAN.