Report
Hitchin arrived at The Victoria Ground in the hope of avenging the defeat at Top Field on the opening day the season. The win over Barwell and the draw against Telford had done much to raise spirits and, what with the Rouslers improvement in form, a good contest was in prospect. It proved to be so, and I do not think there will be any disputes concerning the fairness of the result.
Straight into the squad for Hitchin came Josh Odell- Bature whose contract with Luton Town has expired and on the bench was Blue Joy who has come through the Hitchin academy. Lewis Franklin had also come through his injury satisfactorily and returned to duty.
Of course, it was bitterly cold and for some unspecified reason, the coach suffered a temporary reduction of power as we neared our destination, but all was well, and we were given a rousing welcome by the Rouslers’ officials.
Bromsgrove began with a bit of a flurry and there was an early header for Reece King but fortunately for Hitchin, it was rather soft. There was some wayward passing from the still unsettled visitors who soon ran into their first offside. There was a promising attack along the left, but it led to a counter offensive and a weak shot across the Hitchin goal
Finley Holmes had a shot that was parried and although the rebound was netted a correct offside decision was flagged. This was in the tenth minute. Deall was fouled and a Hitchin free kick saw some progress along the left flank. This was dealt with, but play had been pleasingly open so far. Meddows won a corner for the hosts, the first of the game, which saw Odell- Bature concede another. And this led to a goal on the volley from skipper Reece King and we had played fourteen minutes. Another example of Hitchin’s set piece deficiency. Then Hitchin had a corner that led to counter play and a chance for Hitchin when Bell was adjudged to have been fouled, which was not a popular decision among the home faithful. It was on the left, level with the penalty area, and taken by Stokoe. The move fell short.
Some elaborate passing around the back from Hitchin caused some frustration as incisive forward moves were necessary. In one of these, Seb Stacey had to fight to regain possession right in his goal area, and this should not be happening. This pattern of play took us to twenty- five minutes and the initiative was clearly with the hosts.
Holmes won a further corner for the Rouslers who were still not permitting Hitchin to inject some co-ordination into their play. A free kick from the right gave Bromsgrove a chance but that led to counter play and some possession for Hitchin, and a corner following a cross.
This gave a prolonged chance and another corner, taken by Stokoe and wildly cleared by Holmes. Then from the left these was a combination of a cross and a shot from Deall that nestled in the far corner and there was the equaliser after thirty-nine minutes. Shortly after Franklin sent on a useful cross but there was an infringement, but the goal had rejuvenated the visitors and not before time.
A late attack from Hitchin was intercepted and led to an elaborate home move that Odell- Bature was forced to put out for a corner. It was the last minute of normal time in the half, but all was well on this set piece occasion. Only a minute was added and that went quickly. During the interval Deall’s goal was discussed in some detail – cross or pass – but we were glad that it went in and to have parity in the match.
There were no substitutions as yet for either team. Bromsgrove quickly won a free kick wide on the right that was awkwardly defended. The next attempt from Bromsgrove was close but offside. Syme cut out another move and a foul another. The hosts began to probe to some advantageous effect against what seemed relaxed defending by Hitchin.
Stokoe was tripped on the run and the free kick was generally wasted. Then Robinson was replaced by Cook for the home side. We had reached the hour mark and Deall won a good fifty- fifty challenge that led to a Hitchin free kick and a caution for Newell, but the kick was a poor one. Bell’s shot was as close as it looked, and we shared his disbelief. But we needed more than that, ideally.
The hosts won yet another corner and it was headed clear and upfield when there was only Bell to chase. Shaw went off for Rowe after sixty-eight minutes and a decent move forward from Hitchin broke down. Gleeson had played his allotted time and Billy Heaps was the replacement just as Stokoe was cautioned.
Brooks than replaced Bell, after seventy- four minutes and matters were still very even. Crook had a weak, low shot and some tackles were becoming fierce. Smart defending cut out the next Hitchin chance. Deall won a corner but could have done better. Dixon- Smith had a go but was wide. A prolonged Hitchin attack ended mutely. There were about ten minutes to go. Clever stuff from both sides was neatly circumvented and a draw now seemed likely, as we well know, one can never discount late drama.
A free kick, wide on the right led to a chance but Stacey was alert. The rest of the defence needed to be, and a good chance of a counter move was lost. Chidyausiku was a late substitute for Deall with four added minutes to make his mark, perhaps. There was an offside for the hosts and Stacey sent it out hopefully, but these were indeed nervous moments. A Jones free kick drifted out for a goal kick and a late cross for the hosts flashed dangerously across the Hitchin goal and then the referee blew for time and a point apiece was the outcome, not ideal, but not disastrous.
Hitchin retain the penultimate position but have still put together a three-game unbeaten stint. Those in trouble around us did relatively well, so maximum points in games still remains a priority. Next week sees our debut visit to Market Harborough, Leicestershire, to take on Harborough Town.
BROMSGROVE
Price, White, (Palmer), King, captain, GOAL, 1-0, 14 minutes, Roberts, Carter, Shaw, (Rowe), Robinson, (Crook), Meddows, Newell,cautioned, (Lyden), Lycett, Holmes. Unused substitute- Patterson.
HITCHIN
Stacey, Franklin, Dixon- Smith, Syme, Odell-Bature, Jones, captain, Bell, (Brooks), Gleeson, (Heaps), Stokoe, cautioned, Deall, GOAL, 1-1, 39 minutes, (Chidyausiku), Titchmarsh. Substitutes not used – Joy.
Referee – Mr B Stott assisted by Mr S Currall and Mr J Rowley
Attendance 679
Report by Pipeman