Report
Our visitors today are once again bound up with Hitchin’s fate as it was last season. Perhaps the result of this game may not have the same pressing urgency as the closing game last season where, at home to Stourbridge where a win was imperative, and as long as Sudbury lost, we might have been safe. The Suffolk side obliged by losing but we could only draw, and relegation was thus imposed.
The two teams played out 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture, but it is our visitors who have the better form in recent matches. Relegation for Hitchin was not yet a mathematical certainty, but a loss would enhance that probability.
Hitchin kicked off attacking the open terrace end and Sudbury were in bright pink shirts with blue shorts. Both teams went through a wasteful couple of attempts at a flank attack. In one flurry, the visitors won a useful free kick. It reached Peters but he put it out of play.
A couple more free kicks followed and the better of the two saw Stacey come to claim. A Hitchin corner saw Bradbrook claim the ball safely. Lewis’ throw actually brought a good half chance, but it was defended well. The opening ten minutes were thus very even, but there had been no direct goal attempts.
Marcel Lewis won a free kick that was of negligible value. A Hitchin counter was easily dismissed, but the level of play was generally dull. There was some inexcusably poor passing as well with both teams sharing the guilt. Heaps won a challenge, but his forward pass was too short, and Hitchin clearances were often to the opposition. A home corner bounced disobligingly and we were back to squandering in the midfield.
Neal had a scoring chance but superb work from Dixon- Smith thwarted him. There was another Hitchin corner, punched clear by Bradbrook and Martins’ follow up was well wide.
Charlie Lewis tried a long throw and then another, but no-one could get away a clear shot. Then Stokoe, seeing a chance, promptly stumbled and it ended up as a Sudbury corner. Turner delayed and then put his shot amidst the trees. After half an hour of generally cautious play, we needed someone to take a risk.
There was a generous free kick for Hitchin that was immediately wasted. They needed to be more enterprising. Tearle’s cross was reasonable but went out for a throw, and the visitors were granted another free kick. This was taken by the goalie on the halfway line. It led to a half chance, but no more.
Then we saw a Hitchin chance break down in the most disappointing manner. The visitors were marginally the enter attacking side, but attack is a relative word in this case. Finally, there was a shot from Hutchinson that brought a corner and a good save from Bradbrook
Then, mercifully for some this dull half came to an end. It seemed inconceivable that Sudbury would be content with just a point as relegation is still possible for them. We had news that Martins had been replaced by Franklin.
Both sides were content to send the long, hopeful ball forward as if acknowledging that the midfield was too inconclusive. A Sudbury free kick wide on the left favoured Stacey, and incredibly, at the other end Hutchinson spurned a tap in. Then, at the other end there was a decent chance for Bradley who fired in efficiently and once more Hitchin were chasing the game. Franklin, on a good run over hit a cross. Deall was held back for a free kick that was delayed as he needed treatment. The kick did not afford a realistic opportunity but there was a corner, overruled by the referee.
There was a wayward free kick from the visitors. Stokoe was pulled up on a run and Hitchin had a free kick in a good area. Stokoe smashed it against the defensive wall and that was that. Another effort was put paid to by a subtle foul that did not escape the referee.
It was not entirely in the realms of fantasy to imagine Sudbury committing a rash error, but it looked increasingly unlikely. Brooks replaced Tearle to possibly increase the attacking options, but it was a a long shot. There was a lazy free kick from Sudbury, but the Hitchin counter move was ineffective.
There was a chance for Peters, whose flick did not travel, but it was the visitors who kept snaffling free kicks and that meant that time could be wasted to advantage. Mind you the latest free kick from the Suffolk side almost crept in at the post. Hutchinson sent in a cross that saw Dixon- Smith blocked on his attempt to blast one.
Bradbrook instigated some Charlie Horlock type of phantom injury, and the recovery was somewhat swift. Progress for Hitchin was held in abeyance. Sudbury were managing the endgame comfortably. They may be a poor side overall, but they were better than Hitchin. Franklin sent in a speculative high cross, but it bounced away and Stokoe’s shot from range was always rising.
A little bit of handbags seemed almost staged for dissatisfied onlookers. McNeill attempted a header from a cross but could get no purchase on it. Hitchin had made four substitutions to no real effect, and we were perilously close to time added on. Even a draw, which was not deserved was of no use to Hitchin. There were a couple of token forward moves that looked better than they were.
Just three minutes were tagged on and an over hit pass for a goal kick seemed to sum up the game. So, relegation is confirmed rendering the final games as a play for honour occasion. The disappointment from the majority of the 705 attendance was almost tangible.
HITCHIN TOWN
Stacey, Tearle, (Brooks), Dixon- Smith, Syme, Odell- Bature, (Mc Neill), Jones, captain, Deall, Heaps, (Bell), Hutchinson, Stokoe, Sponsors’ Man of the Match, Martins, (Franklin), substitute not used – Sinclair- Linton.
AFC SUDBURY
Bradbrook, Lewis, Goredema, Turner, captain, Henshaw, Dickens, Peters, Neal, (Richardson), Page, (Pearce), 54 minutes, (Miles), M Lewis, ( Terminiello). Substitute not used – Clark, GK.
Referee- Mr T Berry, assisted by Mr L Chick and Mr R Alderson.
Attendance 705
Report by Pipeman.