Report
This match bore relative insignificance, as Hitchin’s relegation was already confirmed and the hosts were in no danger of succumbing to the same fate. With some current Hitchin players involved in professional trials or finishing the season with a senior club, today’s selection was a little limited. As I boarded the coach I was wondering if we would retain some of our better players for next season, since travelling would be greatly reduced.
We arrived in good time at the somewhat Spartan stadium, the pitch revealed a full wear and tear for the season, and rain had begun to fall. Our hosts had no definite news on the proposed new ground, and thus the wait continues.
A very early chance fell to Hutchinson who tried to exploit goalkeeper Hollingshead, who had failed to clear his lines, but he recovered well enough. The hosts had a similar chance, but it was without progress. A corner was also successfully defended.
Syme conceded another, which turned out to be a poor effort and thus far, the Canaries had made a solid start. Titchmarsh had an interesting run in possession until outnumbered but in fifteen minutes neither side had produced a reasonable chance on goal.
Then a defensive error from Hitchin after sixteen minutes, allowed Callum Sullivan to seize possession and finish smartly, placing the ball into the bottom right corner. It was an opportunistic moment suitably exploited. Response from Hitchin was not immediate as the hosts were lording it over possession at that moment.
There were one or two dodgy manoeuvres but by the twenty- third minute the hosts increased their lead, the move finished with a deft stroke from Kieran Wakefield and a third was nearly bagged a minute later. Then Sullivan, winning a challenge had another shot on goal that was strong but off-target. There was still nothing from the visitors and a free kick was conceded just outside the penalty area, in a central position. Ammar Dyer got the ball over the ball, but his effort went wide.
One promising Hitchin attack ended with the ball being lofted way too high. The rain drummed on the corrugated roof. A poor effort followed that have Hutchinson, in his isolation, no chance. There was a better effort following this, after a free kick had been awarded, but Hitchin were again looking very lightweight up front.
Then in a sparkling combination between Hutchinson and Franklin, the latter reduced the arrears from a difficult angle, and we had played forty minutes. It signified a hope, albeit short lived. Two minutes later, Stacey saved well from a Sullivan free kick. The same player won a late corner. This saw a shot from Wakefield that was parried by Stacey, but Samuel Perry was initially credited with the third goal in stoppage time. The barely audible announcer hastily changed this to Archie Crowther. So, the two-goal margin was reinstated.
The interval period therefore was barely enjoyable for Hitchin supporters and then, shortly after the restart Harry Titchmarsh received a straight red card for a challenge that did not seem to warrant such harsh punishment. So off he marched, and this seemed to ensure a heavier defeat than three goals to one.
But the ten men showed some initial spirit, and after all their situation in terms of the league position could not worsen. Hutchinson chased a lofted ball, even though he must have known he was offside. The Church tried an attack and were themselves caught offside. Fancy football was proving to be somewhat difficult the heavily worn pitch and Ciaren Jones’ header went over the bar before the offside flag was raised again.
Stacey spilled a cross for a home corner and players jostled in the mud before the set piece was cleared. The hosts were not making the most of their numerical advantages and their play lacked thorough coordination. There was a promising attack instigated by Franklin but it came to nothing. Then the referee awarded a somewhat soft penalty to the hosts taken and scored by Wakefield to make it 4-1. We had reached seventy- five minutes and further damage was still possible.
Then, the quaintly named Blue Joy came on for the more prosaically named Billy Heaps. Franklin had a charge up field, and his solo effort brought a corner, which was charged down. Not much more of consequence occurred as we drifted towards the end of this unremarkable game which saw Hitchin duly punished for numerous errors. Two late corners were the best things mustered. Before this unsuccessful manoeuvre Hitchin decided to substitute Stacey for our young academy keeper Tyrese Kamara. He had a few minutes in this his debut. Pity he never touched the ball in play.
The whistle went soon after and Hitchin can reflect on another below par performance against mediocre opposition. As well as that there were three cautions and one dismissal, suggesting that discipline might be a feature on the minutes of the next meeting.
I am sure that the home match on Easter Monday against Bedford Town will be more entertaining.
ALVECHURCH
Hollingshead, Sephton, Perry, (Barkers), Pearce, captain, cautioned, Howell, (Dodd), Willis, Onabirekhanlen, (Davies), Dyer, Sullivan, GOAL, 16, 1-0, Wakefield, GOAL, 2-0, 23 minutes, PENALTY GOAL, 4-1, 75 minutes, Crowther, GOAL, 45+1, 3-1. Substitutes not used – Godwin, Savkin.
HITCHIN TOWN
Stacey, (Kamara), Franklin, GOAL, 2-1, 40 minutes, (Sinclair- Linton), Dixon- Smith, Syme, Tearle, cautioned, Jones, captain, McNeill, Heaps, cautioned, (Joy), Hutchinson, Stokoe, cautioned, Titchmarsh, dismissed, straight red card. Substitutes. It used – Brooks, Forbes.
Referee- Mr J Hall assisted by Mr A Hall and Mr S King.
Attendance 250
Report by Pipeman.