Report
After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at Bedford Town, Hitchin faced another daunting prospect of facing another team vying for promotion. This time it was Telford United who had secured a win on Boxing Day against promotion rivals Halesowen in front of a crowd that exceeded two thousand. I expect that all will remember the remarkable game in the corresponding fixture at Telford where Hitchin went down 5-4 and deserved at least a point that day. This game was also enriched with almost as many goals as that game and it rivalled it for entertainment value.
It is aways disappointing when the team plays well but obtains no reward, but it is imperative that such disappointments are put aside and to embrace the task in hand. The team news was that Stephen Gleeson made a start and Enock Ekongo was unavailable, as was Solomon Sambou.
Telford struck a psychological blow, said he facetiously, as Telford chose to wear a purple away kit, just as we do. Hitchin won a fortuitous corner when Brandon Hall let the ball slip, but Lewis Barker could have done much better with his shot. There was a cross from Dixon- Smith that was a good one, with no-one to pick it up. But another corner followed as Hitchin made another promising start, but Hall held the cross.
Franklin’s frantic bit of play was equally promising but up went the offside flag, as it did with Titchmarsh on the charge. But so far, the opposition seemed meek, which would inevitably change. They won a corner, which made a few eyes twitch, but Stacey held the eventual header. Then, once again Hitchin attacked until an unkind and intervening boot out paid to that little enterprise.
Armson managed a cross that Remi Walker headed wide, but a corner followed for Telford, which came to nothing. Then, with a definite suggestion of offside, Richard Dinanga broke through and finished clinically. Telford thus took the lead in the twenty- second minute. I spoke to the assistant referee after the game, and he informed me that Dinanga had been played onside by Toby Syme. That goal was opportune and the fact it was against the run of play meant little to the celebrating visitors who showed that one chance was enough for a successful strike. A fine moment came when Stacey made a one- handed save from Matthew Stenson’s superb header. This came just three minutes after the opening goal and was indeed an important moment. A free kick for Telford was in a very inviting place for them, just outside the area, but it was over hit.
Hitchin rallied from this and in the next meaningful attack, on the left, Daniel Stokoe’s excellent cross permitted a fine header from Harry Titchmarsh to grab a deserved equaliser after twenty- nine minutes. It came following some harrying persistence which has become a hallmark of the team of late. However, some good hone defending was needed, and Stenson’s fierce shot was held by an unsighted Stacey. Myles – Tebbutt won a corner which was well defended, Then, with Titchmarsh falling over himself, and losing possession, the visitors were quick to pounce, and Remi Walker restored Telford’s lead after forty minutes. So, another preventable goal was conceded, and Bradley Bell really ought to have restored parity, but his shot went over the bar.
Half time this approached with a decent shot from Daniel Stokoe that almost sneaked in, and two extra minutes were tacked on. This saw a frustrating bit of building from the back, and no late drama of a goal. Hitchin started the second half in a frantic manner and Bradley Bell’s shot hit the side netting. Stenson came even closer with his low shot. Two goals without reply was the minimum needed for Hitchin, and it was unlikely but not impossible. Franklin’s perfect cross needed a similar finish from Titchmarsh who ballooned it into the trees.
Franklin himself ought to have scored after some vigorous work, but he dragged the effort wide. The full Fishponds Road end were very vocal in their encouragement but they had to be patient as Daniel Stokoe received treatment. Franklin started a move that was neatly thwarted, but Hitchin contested every ball and Franklin tried again, leading by example.
Gleeson was cautioned as Telford mounted a counterattack, and a free kick led to a corner that was untidily scrambled away. A Hitchin substitution was imminent, and this was after Telford came close with a fine effort. Gleeson was replaced by Rio Deall. Hitchin pushed forward patiently, trying to probe the efficient Telford defence, knowing only a win would do. It needed something better than a over hit corner though.
Deall won a throw trying to send in a cross and before it was taken there were substitutes brought on, namely Snee and Tearle for Bell and Barker. Stenson limped off slowly and Styche came on. Then there was a real corker of a shot from Luke Stokoe and to the delight of the majority this brought a stunning equaliser. It did leave time for a winner and then, oh calamity, a free kick from the right from Telford saw a looping header into the Hitchin net and it was indeed a heart breaker, coming not more than a minute after the equaliser – but then, dramatically, just seconds later Hitchin were awarded a penalty. Snee obliged with the spot kick, and I reflected on how many goals the two games against Telford had brought unlike the season before. For the record last season, brought just two in both games and this season brought a full fifteen.
So, three- all now, with about ten minutes to go, including stoppage time. Then Telford had a free kick, in a similar spot from which they had score, but which Stacey grasped to his chest. Sighs of relief were audible.
Were we not entertained? Yes, but a late winner would be good for all Hitchin supporters in the 752 attendance. Hall held a speculative lob, Telford sent in a similar effort, and errors were creeping in. Would there be one more real chance for Hitchin. Well, there was, and this brought little more than an optimistic penalty appeal. Titchmarsh was brought down on the run and there was a free kick following the inevitable caution. Was this the moment? Well, it was a fair way out and the effort was disappointingly high from Tearle.
As expected, the last throes of this game were unpredictable and for many the sharing of the points was disappointing since goals conceded might well have been prevented. But we avoided defeat and once again we saw a total commitment from our squad who have surprised opposition players and supporters with their latent ability.
It was heartwarming to see the fine support for Hitchin today and it is hoped that there will be a similar attendance for the home game against Barwell on New Year’s Day. We also anticipate that we will play a lot better than we did in the corresponding fixture where we shipped four goals without reply.
HITCHIN
Stacey, Franklin, this reporter’s Man of the Match, Dixon- Smith, Syme, Barker, (Tearle), Jones, captain, cautioned, Bell, (Snee, PENALTY GOAL, 83 minutes, 3-3), Gleeson, (Deall), D Stokoe, L Stokoe, GOAL, 2-2, 78 minutes, Titchmarsh, GOAL, 1-1, 29 minutes. Unused substitutes, Heaps, Chidyausiku.
TELFORD
Hall, Myles- Tebbutt, Piggott, Hawkins, (Cranston), Pendley, Whittall, Walker, GOAL, 1-2, 40 minutes, Armson, Stenson, ( Styche, GOAL, 80 minutes, 2-3), Dinanga, GOAL, 22 minutes, 0-1, Brown. Unused substitutes- Gudger, Storer, Morris.
Referee- Mr T Sangowawa, assisted by Mr N Angus and Mr C Mackay.
Attendance 752
Report by Pipeman.