Report
This was Hitchin’s first ever visit to Winfrey Avenue and during the journey we were subject to a particularly heavy downpour on the A16, but the thirsty fields absorbed it gratefully. The flat landscape is actually within a region called South Holland, and much land has been reclaimed in the past, with the aid of Dutch engineers. It seems a long time ago that the two teams met in the corresponding fixture at Top Field and the Tulips went down by two goals to one, in front of 719 spectators.
Spalding United were currently ninth in the table and the Hitchin contingent knew that this would be another stern test. The supporters had been in good voice on the coach with optimistic, but not necessarily realistic views and predictions. Where every remaining game is a must win, then pressure abounds. The main change to the team was a start for Billy Heaps, with Josh Odell- Bature being placed on the substitutes’ bench.
The rain had ceased but the pitch looked heavy as the Tulips, in all blue with yellow facings began with a move using both flanks and Joseph Nyahwema put in the first shot on target, but it was straight at Seb Stacey. Toby Syme headed away the next cross. It was evident that the hosts were on the hunt. Nathan Fox won the first corner, taken short and Nyahwema blasted well off target.
Counter moves from Hitchin were impeded by the loss of possession. Then there was a free kick for the home side in a tantalising position. James Clifton shot straight at Stacey who was having a busy time. Ekongo did well with a winning tackle against Sembie- Ferris but this had been an awkward opening 10 minutes for Hitchin.
Brooks had the first shot for the visitors following a cross from Ekongo, but it was too high, and at the other end a low shot from Jack Roberts saw the Tulips seize the lead in opportunistic fashion. To be honest, it did look like it was coming, and the goal was timed at twelve minutes.
Heaps was fouled inside the Spalding half, but this brought an unsuccessful half chance. Attempts to thread the ball through the midfield were intercepted and play so far from the Canaries had lacked finesse. Then came more rain as the hosts applied more pressure, with plenty of crosses into the box. Fox, on the left flank sent in a long, diagonal pass and his splendid cross was met by James Clifton, who converted smartly after twenty[1]two minutes making Hitchin’s chances more onerous by the minute. Away supporters were consoling themselves with a chant ‘you’re nothing special, we lose every week’.
Gallows humour in the rain. There was a chance, however when Deall was able to break away, but the disappointment came from a poor shot that yielded a corner, that was ineffective. Deall began another run and was bundled off the ball in a legitimate manner and Ekongo’s run on the left was halted as he committed a foul in an unsubtle manoeuvre.
Deall was then booked for what seemed an innocuous challenge, but perhaps it was accumulative. Fox cunningly latched on to loose ball and his cross brought a corner, and from this, Sam Cartwright increased the score to three-nil and with only thirty-three minutes gone a rout was suggested it had all looked too easy but from a free kick Deall reduced the arrears with a fine header after thirty- five minutes. If nothing else, it was highly probable that there would be more goals in this game.
Brooks soon proved this to be true when his pass enabled Deall to score his second goal and as they say, game on. Hitchin’s next attack was suggestive but spoiled by a cross that was too high and too heavy. But at least the visitors had something to fight for with this creditable comeback and you do not see five goals in one half very often.
Then Nyahwema was cautioned for what I think was dissent. A sense of urgency was there but not adhered to by Hitchin who, if they equalised would surely secure the initiative. Both sets of supporters were suitably noisy, and Brooks caused some momentary amusement by falling dramatically in the area, but fooling no-one. Hutchinson was overdue a chance or two, or even a bit of creativity. But where was the service for him?
It was a pity that an equaliser was not forthcoming in this remarkable first half and the second period began with meaningful assaults on the Hitchin goal. The first Hitchin attempt was forgettable. There were some scraps in midfield usually halted by a critical whistle. The rain had eased somewhat, and the pitch was cutting up. Hutchinson showed a hint of initiative but was crowded out. Fox was still alert to possibilities on the flank. Brooks and Titchmarsh combined but the cross was too deep.
Walker won a free kick on the run, and he set himself up for the chance, but it was taken by Freeman and then it was all ruled out for offside. Noisy Hitchin fans derided the referee for not awarding a corner and the game took on a renewed intensity. Yet questions could still be asked about the effectiveness of Hitchin’s forward play.
Roberts won a cross with his corner, and drumbeats were heard in anticipation. Hitchin defended this but without creating a counter chance, and a long ball for Hutchinson as routinely intercepted. I had hoped that Hitchin’s play would be propitious, but even a fighting and creditable draw would not be good enough. Ekongo’s good play saw Brooks robbed of a pass. This happened again a minute later, and muddied players threw themselves into it and indeed Chapman threw himself down for an unnecessary save, as the flag had been raised.
The long ball forward had not brought dividends as yet and the referee was generally lenient with some challenges from short passes. Stokoe for Heaps was the first Hitchin substitution. Then the hosts made two substitutions. The game should have been finely poised with the question of Hitchin snatching an equaliser or the Tulips firmly planting a fourth goal.
Ekongo’s admirable persistence saw him shoot into the side netting after battling his way through. It was one of few chances. One fair move, involving a number of passes, broke down at the critical moment, as did a chance for the Tulips. It had been a little surprising that after five goals in the first half, there were none so far in this combative second period. Tearle then replaced Syme and he was soon embattled. Spalding were containing Hitchin’s attempts at forward moves, preventing penetration.
A Hitchin free kick was robustly defended but the visitors still tried to get forward but were usually robbed of the ball in the process. Titchmarsh had a blocked shot that won a corner. Jones headed, and Chapman, six foot eight, saved easily. Titchmarsh was fouled just inside the opposition half and Tearle’s free kick fell short of intention.
But it was Tearle’s fine tackle in his penalty area that snuffed out a very good chance for the hosts. We were fast approaching the conclusion of the game and only two minutes were added to the ninety and a draw was the best we could hope for as Deall tried his best. Jones got away with a late foul just before the referee blew and Hitchin suffered yet another defeat in the increasingly difficult fight against relegation. It is not enough to be gallant losers, which indeed they were today.
It is incumbent for me to mention the splendid hospitality from Spalding, which was sincerely given and gratefully received. The sportsmanship of home fans was also notable. It was a fine day out, the result notwithstanding, and Hitchin players were crestfallen at not achieving at least a point, but we still retain our pride in them. Finally, I must mention the impressive away support, which was both noisy and constant. They will be there, whatever the result.
I will finish with an anecdote. As I stood with some supporters by the coach, a large double decker, in a garish purple pulled up and the driver opened the doors. What was the score, was his question. I told him. He smiled and gave a thumbs up. Well, for me it is a good thing when locals exhibit such curiosity.
SPALDING UNITED
Chapman, Walker, captain, Fox, this reporter’s man of the match, Moore, Cartwright, GOAL, 3-0,33 minutes, Lawlor, Sembie- Ferris, Freeman, Clifton, GOAL, 2-0 , 22 minutes, (Cybulski ),Roberts, GOAL, 1- 0, 12 minutes, ( Brown), Nyahwema, cautioned, ( Law), Substitutes not used – Chettle, Sano Sani.
HITCHIN TOWN
Stacey, Franklin, Ekongo, Hitchin star man, Heaps, (Stokoe), Syme, (Tearle), Jones, captain, Deall, TWO GOALS, 3-1 and 3-2, 35 and 38 minutes, cautioned, Gleeson, cautioned, Hutchinson, Brooks, Titchmarsh. Substitutes not used – Dixon- Smith, Odell- Bature, Bell.
Referee- Mr Karl Donaghey, assisted by Mr Ryan Andrews and Mr Lewis Fletcher.
Attendance 440
Report by Pipeman.