Report
Hitchin Town returned to the Spencer Stadium for the first time since 2021 and in that interim period our hosts gained promotion to the Conference North but like Bishop’s Stortford, they found it a challenging experience and were relegated back to the Southern Premier Division and are on the lower fringes of a playoff position.
Following Hitchin’s welcome win in a domestic cup match, much gloom was lifted, and interim manager Michael Jones faced the stern test of a league match away and he and his team made it two wins, with this latest one representing a fine achievement for this rejuvenated team.
It was good to see both Kye Tearle and Bradley Bell back in the squad and on loan goalkeeper Josh Strizovic made a start. Lewis Barker and Dan Sears were both suspended but the starting eleven displayed true grit and determination to come from behind to claim a second away win of the season and improve our league position.
Virtuous in their patience, an early Hitchin attack kept possession until progress was denied, but in facing the expected home onslaught, skipper Ciaren Jones displayed fine defending that developed into another forward move. A free kick from the visitors just failed to reach the intended target and at the other end the Puritans forced a corner taken from Claudio Dias, which was competently beaten away.
Having their fair share of the ball, Hitchin had made a comfortable start but as yet they were looking a little light up front. Defensively they were cautious and when George sent in a cunning pass, Reilly’s cross was neatly intercepted by Strizovic. Chidyausiku essayed a light lob, but straight at keeper Jack Harding.
Ekongo’s spirited dash along the left saw him shrug off a sly push and cross to Daniel Stokoe who could do little with it. Although quite an absorbing game, we went to twenty minutes without a direct assault on goal, but the hosts produced a chance where a fine pass to Ball saw him miss the ball entirely although the had time and space for the shot. Reilly had another go, but he dragged the intended shot well wide. Reilly then put in another cross that saw a haphazard attempt from Prosser. Banbury were now edging closer but without troubling the well marshalled Hitchin defence.
The Canaries, not yet on song, seemed confined to midfield, even when gifted with possession. A mistake from Strizovic saw Ball unable to capitalise, and there were some jittery moments when Hitchin played out from the back. The next Banbury attack fell on stony ground, and it enabled a Hitchin shot that landed on the top of the net.
Then, after thirty-five minutes, a quickly taken home free kick saw perceptive play from Gordon and his pass saw George Ball in the optimum position to strike and he slotted home smartly and thus the hosts were ahead, and it seemed ample reward for their increased pressure. There was a tangible relief from the home supporters who felt this goal would signal a definite superiority.
The initial response from Hitchin was mute. Gordon ought to have doubled the home advantage but he dithered. It did seem that a Hitchin equaliser before half time would be extremely unlikely, but to their credit they continued to play their passing game, and it was free of the hoof ball that had characterised their efforts in league games hitherto.
Even so, imprecise play from the hosts as we approached the interval suggested that the visitors could obtain something from this game. As it was the second half saw a determined display, where the team was outstanding in defence and alert to counter moves.
The second period began in the accustomed crepuscular gloom characteristic of autumn, and one bright episode saw Toby Syme’s shot rebounding from a defender, but this was all halted by an offside decision. Deall set up a move that proved to be too laborious. A decent attack from the hosts, which, when thwarted, had the home supporters claiming all manner of infringements, sensibly ignored by the referee.
It seemed that most of the play was in the Hitchin half, and Banbury forced several corners, and one attack saw the ball cleared close to the Hitchin goal line. Deall seemed a lonely figure up front, with Chidyausiku coming into view occasionally. Significantly, Banbury could do little with their increased possession, but the next Hitchin chance lacked substance. In another foray, the diligent Franklin was bundled over and Nico Jones became the only player to be cautioned, and much of this was due to sensible but firm refereeing.
Gleeson, who seemed to be enjoying the intensity of it all had done his customary one-hour shift gave way to Luke Stokoe, and that turned out to be an effective replacement. Oddly, the announcer conveyed that today’s substitute announcements were sponsored which left me wondering what form this sponsorship took, and it was the first time I have witnessed this.
A Hitchin free kick yards outside the penalty box saw Deall send in a hopeful ball that proved no difficulty for the Banbury defence. But this defence was caught out after seventy- three minutes when Daniel Stokoe espied a loose ball and seizing possession advanced on goal in what initially seemed a quixotic manner, but he had but one thing on his mind and that was to get a shot on target. He skilfully kept possession and picked his spot, with Harding unable to keep the ball from his net. By any standard it was a well taken goal.
Hitchin players were understandably jubilant since they had plodded away, and the reward justified the uncompromising method of play. Right after this equaliser, there was another Hitchin substitution, and this turned out to be Michael Jones’ trump card. Henry Snee came on and dazzled with his play, which is all the more remarkable since he had just flown in from New York.
He replaced Chidyausiku who appeared to have jet lag of his own. The hosts reacted firmly and set about regaining the lead with several attacks that did test the Hitchin defence, with the home faithful claiming a variety of fictitious offences. Part of this was the growing dissatisfaction at the way their team had lost their influence in the second half. Indeed, Hitchin began marauding with serious intent.
Battling from defence, Hitchin were caught offside a couple of times, but Snee sneaked in a decent shot put out for a corner by Harding, Snee ensured that another came quite quickly, and the Stokoe twins had a moment, but it fell short of completion.
Another Hitchin substitute emerged in the form of the combative Kye Tearle who replaced Deall. For a couple of minutes Hitchin lived dangerously in their own penalty box, but sheer persistence enabled them to rid themselves of the threats and at this point I know that some Hitchin supporters would have gladly taken a point, especially as Strizovic was tested with crosses and corners.
There was still time for either side to grab a late winner, and happily, this fell to Hitchin, following a move instigated by Tearle and finished superbly by Henry Snee, whose sheer persistence as he bore down in the Banbury goal, saw him keep possession and squeeze his shot beyond Harding. This goal was timed at eighty- eight minutes, but five additional minutes meant a late assault on the Hitchin goal that called for precise defending, and, it must be added some inelegant interventions as well.
But having battled to come from behind Hitchin looked as though they would defy any effort to prevent their second away win of the season. Of course, it seemed a long five minutes but the team prevailed. What struck me in particular was the manner of the celebration of the winning goal. The entire squad was involved, and it was plain to see just what this win meant to them.
After the whistle, the team went to their supporters and there was a good deal of low fives and words of appreciation. Michael Jones was to the forefront, thanking supporters and praising his team in the same breath. Such support has real meaning from this team who want to show that it is within their capabilities to rise above the relegation zone and ensure a retention of Premier Division status. There is a long way to go but a new spirit has been engendered and it suggests strongly that this may be built upon.
This begins with an away fixture at Biggleswade Town who are rubbing shoulders with us in the nether regions of the division and they, like us, want to rise above it, so it ought to be a fine competitive match.
BANBURY
Harding, Fleming, Prosser, Nantwi-Ofosu, Captain, Jones, cautioned, Reilly, Donaldson, (Westwood), Gordon, Ball, GOAL, 1-0, 35 minutes, (Ferguson) Dias, (Mussa), George. Unused substitutes- C Donaldson, Ntihe.
HITCHIN
Strizovic, Franklin, Ekongo, Sambou, Syme, Jones, Captain, Deall, (Tearle), Gleeson, (L Stokoe), Chidyausiku, (Snee, GOAL, 88 minutes 1-2, this reporter’s man of the match), D Stokoe, GOAL, 73 minutes, 1-1, Titchmarsh. Unused substitutes- Dixon- Smith, Bell.
Referee- Mr L Mountain, who had a good match and was ably assisted by Mr O Bedre and Mr I Croston.
Attendance 709
REPORT BY PIPEMAN