Report
The Tulips, who play in an area actually called South Holland in Lincolnshire came through the rain to Top Field for the first time in many a year. They, like Hitchin, have had a challenging start to the season and along with us are in the bottom four and are playing at Step Three for the first time in their history. Needless to say, the garnering of maximum points was the aim of both teams today.
The Hitchin goalkeeper problem has been solved for the time being with the signing of Joshua Strizovic, on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge. We hope that Kyle Forster is recovering from his accident and can make preparations to return to football duty.
The sun, very obligingly, made an appearance for the kickoff. Spalding, playing in all red, had an early free kick, which saw Strizovic called upon to make his first save, following a blocked shot from Sherif. The resultant corner saw Winters presented with a free header which only just cleared the crossbar. It was a good start from the Lincolnshire side.
They continued in this vein in what were hectic opening minutes. There was a chance for Stokoe but this brought a corner, and an air shot from Dixon- Smith. The Tulips won a corner themselves with Franklin defending well.
Hitchin won a free kick just inside the Spalding half and it ran harmlessly for a goal kick. There was yet to be a piece of coordinated play from Hitchin, as the visitors sought to win each challenge with eagerness. Then a chance fell, following Strizovic’s long punt up field, there was a pass or two and the ball fell nicely for Stokoe who had time to pick his spot to put the Canaries ahead after sixteen minutes.
The Tulips struck back with an attack that came from a free kick. This was cleared albeit a little awkwardly. Another Hitchin corner followed at twenty- two minutes with Deall doing well and the veteran keeper Tony Breeden saving one- handed at close range. There was more confidence about Hitchin now.
Spalding were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area to the right but this, from Hilliard only resulted in a Hitchin free kick. Then there was another effort from Hitchin that appeared to strike the crossbar and despite their good play on the ball the visitors were yet to threaten Strizovic who was having a confident debut so far. Franklin had a good run in possession, but he was outnumbered.
Then, following a slip from Roberts, who lost possession as he tumbled, Cybulski pounced, then advanced, taking full advantage and his diagonal shot was perfectly placed, trickling into the net at the far post. This equaliser came after thirty-four minutes. Then, just six minutes later, Titchmarsh was upended in the penalty area, and the spot kick was converted by Wilson whose emphatic shot gave Breeden little chance. The lead was thus restored after forty minutes.
The brief period leading to the interval was a little scrappy, marked with shrill whistles from the referee for various peccadillos, punctuated by reprimands of varying lengths. Added to this, Morrall was helped from the pitch with Brooks replacing him. The best but was Hitchin’s double shot, where both were saved but the offside flag had gone up up in any case. As that went up Barker went down following a challenge from Brown who was given a bit of a telling off.
Hilliard’s free kick was the last bit of action, the whistle going as the ball trickled out of play.
After the interval Spalding made a substitution with Winters being replaced by a chap who rejoices in the name of Munakaandafa. Hilliard and Sano Sandi combined but the final effort was weak. Hilliard took a free kick wide on the right that was adequately defended.
Hilliard had another go, and this enabled Nyahwema to work his way towards goal without success. There was a further Hitchin substitution with Sambou replacing Titchmarsh. Spalding had another go-and it went just over the bar. Hitchin’s free kick from a central position eluded everyone. Barker conceded a free kick as well as a caution, but it was well defended, yet the visitors were pressing.
Then another free kick was conceded by Hitchin and Sambou joined Barker in the book. Hilliard’s shot, however, was blocked. Given the lack of Hitchin forward play it looked as though they were determined to hang on to the lead they had. Forbes replaced penalty scorer Wilson. Across from Dawes saw a weak header from Cybulski.
Breeden took a free kick almost in the Hitchin half, which was cleared untidily. Some Hitchin possession and ball control were needed. One isolated effort hoping to achieve this was blatantly offside. Syme came on for Dixon- Smith.
Scrappy play had marked this half which had so far been inferior to the first period. The next attack was again offside, and Stokoe was cautioned for kicking the ball away. Stoppages were frequent. Sambou had a blocked shot deflected for a corner. This was routinely defended and The Tulips countered, winning a corner for themselves, which was held by Strizovic. There was a Hitchin attack that had possibilities that were not developed but Brooks showed the right kind of persistence in the challenge. A Hitchin free kick brought some relief from the untidy play. Deall sent it in, and Breeden was fouled and then jeered for exaggerating the challenge. He was then subject to ironic cheers when he sent a free kick out of play.
The fact that he was busy was a good sign for Hitchin whose fragile lead could still be eradicated, as there were still some probable ten minutes to go with stoppage time. Yet another free kick was conceded by Hitchin, and this one too was in an inviting position. Hilliard hit it well, but it cleared the bar by a few inches.
Five minutes additional time was tacked on and there was a good save from Strizovic, followed by a Spalding effort that was offside. This was a nervous time for the hosts who were going to be up against it in this crucial period. Every decision that went in their favour was cheered as it meant time was being eroded. A Hitchin free kick led to a wasted attack and Stokoe, sponsors’ man of the match took a knock. These points were being fought over tooth and nail and they went to Hitchin who are now level with Biggleswade Town on seven points. There was a very encouraging attendance of 719 today and it shows how the town consistently supports its football club.
We may still be firmly in the basement, but we did enjoy our first win in the league for almost a year, which seems incredible. There is no doubt that we are watching a team that is improving but is still a work in progress. The points were gained in a hard match against a team that has found the Southern League Premier Division a definite challenge since their promotion.
The coming Tuesday sees the visit of Leiston, and we could well do with improving our record against the Suffolk side.
HITCHIN
Strizovic, Franklin, Dixon-Smith, (Syme), L Barker, cautioned, Sears, Roberts, Morrall, (Brooks), Titchmarsh, (Sambou), Wilson, PENALTY GOAL, 2-1, 40 minutes, (Forbes), Stokoe, GOAL, 16 minutes, 1-0, cautioned, Sponsors’ Man of the match, Deall. Substitutes not used – Chidyausiku.
SPALDING
Breeden, Brown, Walker, Sherif, (K Barker), Stainfield, Dawes, Nyahwema, Hilliard, Cybulski, GOAL, 34 minutes,1-1, Sano Sano, (Tomlinson), Winters, (Munakaandafa). Substitutes not used – Cartwright, Warburton.
Referee- Mr E Mayer, assisted by Mr W Prior and Mr T Dawkins.
Attendance 719
REPORT BY PIPEMAN