Report
Many spectators who came to Top Field today would have recalled the last time we entertained the Glassboys. It was a pivotal day in the history of the club, and we needed to win to avoid relegation and Sudbury had to lose. Well, the Suffolk side obliged in defeat, but we were held to a draw, which was not good enough. There are still those who swear that when goalkeeper Charlie Horlock came up for the corner in the last moments, his header crossed the line, but it was overruled by the referee, and we were relegated.
Yes, then came the reprieve, but who among the 1,141 could forget that desperate day. Today was not entirely different as Hitchin were itching to garner points to take them away from the relegation zone. The Glassboys have made a good start to the season, and I was informed that our Enoch Ekongo was once a player at Stourbridge.
The team sheet listed the visitors as playing in all grey but instead they had a fancy outfit of red, black, and white. Rain had given way to sunshine and the visiting spectators were enlivening proceedings with a drum. A long throw from the right culminated in the Glassboys taking advantage of slack marking and Ethan Freemantle, (so spelt) put them ahead with a goal of painful simplicity. We had only played five minutes.
Hitchin’s immediate response saw an attack on the left thwarted robustly. Stokoe’s persistent play on the right enabled a cross but it lacked accuracy. The Glassboys won a free kick wide on the right and it looked dangerous but was ruled out as an offside. They were playing good, controlled football, making it hard for Hitchin, who did have some goalmouth action that was suggestive. It was initially defended but the second effort saw Rio Deall squeeze in the equaliser after fifteen minutes. Invigorated by this the Canaries then forced a corner, which goalkeeper Taylor held well.
A bit of a midfield battle ensued with both teams trying to forge a way through. Stokoe and Moore met in a challenge, and both needed some treatment, and it appeared that in recovery Moore was cautioned. Hitchin attacked on the right, but the cross was far too heavy. A heavy challenge on the right resulted in a free kick for the Glassboys. A Hitchin attack saw Sambou dispossessed, and then in a swift counter, Mandey restored the lead for Stourbridge after thirty-two minutes.
Barker sent his effort over the bar as Hitchin tried to respond with similar swiftness. Deall was brought down and a free kick in a central area at about twenty- five yards gave hope. Jones took the kick and was just inches wide. Then Stokoe crossed, but it favoured the keeper, but it was a corner for the hosts, which again favoured Taylor. A stylish attack from the visitors saw Strizovic make a fair save.
Sambou has a decent strike that Taylor tipped over the bar and the following corner saw an unsuccessful downward header. The hoped for equaliser before half time looked unlikely with just a few minutes to go. Three minutes were added and Hitchin battled forward, finding the Glassboys’ defence unyielding.
A late free kick saw Deall win a corner and thus a chance, with the effort cleared off the line just before the whistle. There was a half time substitution that gave our announcer a challenge as Coyle was replaced by Vladimiro Granjal Martins Pais. The Glassboys began strongly with Strizovic having to punch away one effort whilst the next all but shaved the crossbar. And then the Hitchin keeper, attempting to clear was challenged by Freemantle, who got the run of the ball and jumped gleefully as the ball trickled into the net. Three errors had
brought three goals, and this latest one came after forty- nine minutes. Maybe this was a bridge too far for the hosts who had been long on gallantry but a little questionable in defence. It was Freemantle’s second goal of the game.
Mandey, the other scorer needed treatment along with Franklin who looked decidedly groggy after the challenge. The next Hitchin attack was concluded with a free kick to the visitors. Franklin had recovered enough to display some stout defensive work and once more Hitchin tried to get forward but were losing out aerially. They had a free kick from the left which Taylor held with momentary difficulty.
Stokoe was legitimately bundled off the ball in what looked like a smart move and the Glassboys had a free kick from the right that was defended. A cross from Masidi brought a corner initially defended by Sears but in the next attempt Mandey netted his second and his side’s fourth after sixty- four minutes. The hosts then made two substitutions but at four- one down it was not looking at all positive. But this was not the thrashing that the score suggested since two goals at least could have been avoided.
Indeed, the heart seemed to have gone out of their play and there was a limp appeal for a home penalty that fooled no-one. More substitutes entered the fray, but the Glassboys seemed firmly in control, denying Hitchin the compensation of a goal. Another free kick followed some questionable defending by Hitchin and Bavanganga, who had performed well saw his header from close range saved by Strizovic.
All five Hitchin substitutes were eventually used and indeed one substitute, Dixon – Smith was himself substituted by Snee, who had an unsuccessful strike on goal shortly after he came on. Stourbridge came close to a fifth as we entered the closing stages.
There was a corner for Hitchin that sailed over every head and a hopeful lob was held by Taylor. Sears was booked after a challenge that felled Brown, and the free kick saw an attack where no-one could connect with Kettle’s subtle pass.
When an additional six minutes were added there were a few groans since they felt the team had suffered enough and then on ninety- two minutes Fletcher headed a fifth goal to justify those groans. There can be no complaints as the visiting team had been both relentless and efficient. A sixth goal was not beyond the taking as Stourbridge forced a late corner but wasted the opportunity. Well, they could well afford to do this having imposed a heavy home defeat on an ultimately dispirited Hitchin team, that is set to face Lowestoft on Tuesday.
HITCHIN
Strizovic, Franklin, (Dreyer), Jones, (Dixon-Smith- replaced by Snee), Barker, cautioned, (Titchmarsh), Sears, cautioned, Syme, Deall, GOAL, 1-1, 15 minutes, Sambou, Wilson, (Chidyausiku), Stokoe, Ekongo. All substitutes used.
STOURBRIDGE
Taylor, Bavanganga, Grewal- Pollard, Lewis, (Bradley), Brown, Kettle, Mandey, TWO GOALS, 1-2, 32 minutes and 1-4, 64 minutes, Moore, cautioned, Freemantle, TWO GOALS, 0-1, 5 minutes, 1-3, 49 minutes, Masidi, (Fletcher, GOAL, 90+2, 1-5), Coyle,( Pais, this reporter’s man of the match). Other substitutes, Durrell and Unitt.
Referee – Mr C Charles, who had a fine game, ably assisted by Mr R Woodford and Mr P Yates.
Attendance 641
REPORT BY PIPEMAN