Report
Boxing Day was here, and Hitchin were away to the Eagles, Bedford Town- a club with a fine history and friendly rivals of Hitchin Town. The Eyrie now has a brand-new artificial pitch which makes the stadium all the more appealing. Games between these two clubs at a holiday period always brings in a decent attendance, as well as a cracking game.
Hitchin were understandably aggrieved that the last game where Stamford had protected their single goal lead, only to steal a further goal in stoppage time. But to dwell on perceived injustices does not gather us any points. Even an allegedly moral victory in today’s game does little to assuage our woes.
So, the task was a daunting one for Hitchin, and the team announced had no recognisable striker. We have, however, players who are capable of scoring, both from open play and set pieces. Another point of interest was the inclusion in the Eagles’ line up of former Hitchin player Kavan Cotter, who had a quiet game and was eventually substituted.
There was an early chance for Hitchin in this remarkable first half, when a hooked pass from Ciaren Jones found Bradley Bell whose shot won a corner, which was stoutly defended. A piece of wonderful football saw Rio Deall’s shot blocked for a corner. This was a good start for Hitchin, since they denied possession to the home team for a good ten minutes and were the more creative.
In one attack the referee blew for a free kick right on the edge of the area and thus a chance for Hitchin, but Jones’ effort cleared the bar. Even so, for this opening quarter of an hour, it was all Hitchin and Dixon- Smith was denied an opener as Adam Harrison made a fine save following a decent corner
Daniel Stokoe had a shot which went wide but it underlined the pleasing fact that Hitchin were, at this stage, the better team and looked the likelier to score. Their defence was yet to be troubled, and each forward move seemed to be full of potential. A Hitchin free kick wide on the right provided a further opportunity but the ball struck a defender. Another free kick followed a caution for a home player, this effort was ruled offside.
Bradley Bell’s intended cross almost surprised the keeper who held the ball well. Then Hitchin were rewarded by a goal, when what is known as a wicked deflection sailed obligingly into the net after sustained pressure. Yes, there was a slice of luck, but I think Hitchin deserved that as well after the desertion of lady fortune in recent games. As for the scorer, well, it looked suspiciously like an own goal, and I was informed that it was Mensah whose boot did the damage.
Hitchin did not relax there but pressed further and a free kick from the right caused a degree of consternation in the home defence. Deall won a free kick, and it began a move that had an inventive idea, but it was not completed. Bedford finally had a goal attempt when Ryan Blake’s header just cleared the bar, and we had played thirty- nine minutes.
Bedford showed further frustration when Lobjoit was booked for dissent and then there was a calamitous miss from Dixon- Smith at close range, but it took a nick for a corner. This was defended and it led to a Bedford attack. Only one minute was added and Bell, who had been outstanding led the next attack. So, Hitchin finished the half strongly and it was not unpleasant to overhear a home supporter state that had Hitchin garnered a three goal lead it would not flatter them.
A triple effort on goal at the start of the second period from Hitchin brought excitement but no goal. It was expected that Bedford would lay siege to the Hitchin goal, but that was yet to happen. There was a home corner though, and that was converted all too easily by Lewis Green. Once more the Hitchin vulnerability at set pieces was thoroughly exposed. The goal and at fifty- four minutes. It seemed from here that Bedford had seized the initiative for the time being, and it was as well that Ryan Blake messed up his cross as after good individual work. Challenges were becoming more physical and a free kick from Gyamfi favoured the Hitchin defence.
Deall won a corner that culminated in a real goal chance with the ball all but grazing the post. Bedford had made three substitutions and Hitchin brought on Tearle for Barker. Mullins made an effort from distance, and it was unsurprisingly off target. Another corner was won just as the thought occurred to me that in our parlous state only wins would do. A second goal almost came from this corner and Hitchin went behind to a cross from the right that gave Lobjoit a simple tap in.
It left about twenty minutes for the Canaries to be on song for a draw or an unlikely victory. They had not matched the play of the first half, but they did not yield in terms of effort. It is no comfort to take the view that they did not deserve to be trailing, since the goals conceded were preventable. Bell’s determination won a corner. This was a good one and well defended. Tearle was cautioned for a rash and spoiling challenge, and the Bedford free kick was eventually cleared.
Snee came in for Daniel Stokoe and some home timewasting was evident, but masterfully disguised. A corner for Hitchin came following a home offside move and the referee detected a foul from someone in purple. Chidyausiku replaced Bell which showed that Hitchin would go for a goal, and we wondered if Bedford would stick or twist.
There was precious little time left, and a late attack was thwarted and a later cross just about favoured Harrison in the Bedford goal. Another late effort saw Snee and Tearle try to cause problems but still the equaliser eluded the visitors. A free kick won a corner as the referee said five other minutes. The corner was cleared as someone else was booked, and it looked like Luke Stokoe. Dixon-Smith’s cross brought a collective penalty appeal from Hitchin players and the away supporters behind the goal. The referee busied himself with cautions, as he always does when he is in the middle at our games. Tearle’s second card saw a dismissal and I lost track of other admonitions.
The whistle went moments later, and the result was pleasing to the majority of the bumper crowd of 952 and although some might take the following comment with a pinch of salt, I will record it. No fewer than four home officials spoke to me after the game and actually apologised for what they saw as a fortuitous home win. It was at least, an acknowledgment of the splendid way that Hitchin had played. But it is not enough to play well, since we are well adrift and need maximum points in a maximum number of games if we are to avoid the drop.
So, to those who left the Eyrie with the thought of ‘we wuz robbed,’ you have my sympathies. But we must shed the role of the gallant loser and be even lucky winners in vital games to come. This starts with the visit of Telford, who had a whopping attendance of 2074 today.
BEDFORD
Harrison, Mullins, Shann, (Dawes, cautioned), Cotter, (Thomas), Mensah OWN GOAL, 28 minutes, 0-1, cautioned, Green, GOAL,54 minutes, 1-1, cautioned, Gyamfi, (Rush), Simmons, (Taafe), Winters, (Panter), Lobjoit, GOAL, 69 minutes, 2-1, Blake, captain. All substitutes used.
HITCHIN
Stacey, Franklin, Dixon-Smith, Syme, Barker, (Tearle, dismissed after two cautions), Jones, captain, Deall, Bell, (Chidyausiku), D Stokoe, (Snee), L Stokoe, cautioned, Titchmarsh. Unused substitutes- Gleeson, Heaps.
Referee- Mr M Stetakovic, assisted by Mr C Jones and Mr M Bright.
Attendance 952
Report by Pipeman.