Report
Our visitors today arrived in the full knowledge that they could claim the League title today, as long as at Langford Road, there was the highly improbable result of basement club Biggleswade Town defeating Kettering Town. As it turned out, the Northamptonshire club prevailed in Bedfordshire by a solitary goal.
Last season the final home game was of vital importance as it affected our relegation issue, and almost 1200 turned up for the occasion. We were hoping for a full house today, as games against Bedford Town exudes something approaching a rivalry. Our wish was granted, and the figure was just below 1100.
The weather was dull, but there was none of the torrential rain that caused Tuesday’s Hertfordshire Senior Cup Final to be postponed. Hitchin’s last outing was a trip to Alvechurch where the pitch was not of the best quality, even allowing for the wear for the season.
It was a distinct pleasure for me to greet Lee Bircham, manager of Bedford Town. He still remembers the days when he was a pupil of mine at Hemel Hempstead. I am delighted with his success at Bedford and hope it continues.
The loyal home support had arrived in strength, and it was good to see a healthy travelling support that was vocal and expectant. The visitors were in a vibrant all-orange kit, where the socks looked distinctly fluorescent.
So, off we went, with Hitchin attacking the open terrace end, and immediately causing concern with that insistence of playing out from the back. A long throw added to Hitchin’s concern. A long diagonal pass from Tearle saw a colleague stray offside. Cue another long throw from Sam Brown and Stacey got under it. An attempt from a Hitchin to get through the middle was promptly blocked. Of great interest was Franklin’s speculative lob that ended its flight on the roof of the net.
The Eagles then won a free kick when Blake was fouled but Lobjoit’s free kick was entirely misjudged. Brown strolled to the line to launch a long throw that was cleared by Heaps. But then another followed and again Hitchin defended satisfactorily. A good attack by the visitors saw Panter head towards goal a close range, but Stacey was equal to it.
Considerable noise greeted Hitchin’s first corner, which brought another. Heaps’ attempt at a shot was blocked. But for twenty minutes, the league leaders had been contained. The Eagles looked slick in attack but not invulnerable. A free kick from the left brought opportunity but no more than the offside flag.
It was a good job that Brown’s slick pass took a deflection for a corner and Mensah’s fierce shot was saved by Stacey. Some dithering from Hitchin permitted the ball to go into touch and, following the throw there was an opportunity for Panter to get away a shot. – which he did, through the crowd of legs and thus The Eagles took a deserved lead after twenty- six minutes. Celebrations were wildly enthusiastic.
Hitchin’s response was willing, but Blake stole a shot that hit Stacey in the midriff. Bedford harassed and did not permit the Canaries any kind of coordinated play and forward attempts were defined by long passes forward, seeking a Hitchin player in vain. Elementary errors were also in evidence.
Pressure on the Hitchin goal was relentless, and counter play was soon interrupted by the Eagles. Half time was looming and an equaliser within that time seemed remote. A late home attack was deconstructed with ease which, in a way summarised the half for Hitchin, who were to play a lot better in the second half.
Then, only just into the resumption a second goal was snapped up by Bedford with considerable ease, or so we all thought. After the celebrations of the crowd and the players in orange, the linesman declared the effort offside. Then, in a fulsome move forward Hitchin produced an equaliser, courtesy of Jake Hutchinson whose celebration with the players suggested he still has an affection for the club in his second loan spell. As well as this he was heavily involved in following moves and had a shot on target. The goal was timed at forty-eight minutes.
As Hitchin players celebrated, I noticed the Bedford players surrounding the referee in protest. They soon abandoned this fruitless protest for incisive play and indeed some necessary defending. The initiative was still with the home team.
Even so, there was an appeal for a penalty that in reality was a corner and a wasted one at that. If this result stood, the Eagles might well have to win their last game, at home to Stourbridge. Biggleswade were still holding second placed Kettering. Some Hitchin defending had the look of desperation about it. Even when Franklin broke away his final pass was wanting. A better close-range finish would have seen Hutchinson put the Canaries into the lead which would have pleased the majority of the 1093 that formed the best home attendance of the season.
In came another long throw and this, like the rest, was stoutly defended, but there was the worry that one would get through. Bedford made two substitutions, with Andrade and Whittaker. McNeill found himself in an advantageous position, but his shot was weak. Hilliard’s corner for the Eagles was defended and Hutchinson was caught offside. The atmosphere was indeed tense, and no neutral could even think that Hitchin would roll over. Well, as expected one of those killer throws finally found its way through to a lethal boot and Lobjoit scored to restore the lead. Would that be the title winner? It came after seventy- four minutes.
Away fans were ebullient, and Hitchin brought on Brooks for Heaps. The substitute chased a forward ball to no effect. Bedford were now holding the midfield, with Hitchin trying to sneak along the flank. Hutchinson and Brooks combined and won a corner, sent in by Stokoe for a blocked effort by Jones. Stacey played a few memorable moments as a full back causing considerable merriment.
Bell replaced Mc Neill, and this substitute came into a scenario that suited his temperament. One attack saw a massive clearance from Mensah and then Blake had cramp, which could be construed as time wasting. Hitchin pushed and won a corner, sent in by Tearle but it was over hit. Four additional minutes gave a glimmer of hope to the team playing for pride and we were well pleased with them.
They had a late free kick which Macauley spilled then recovered instantly. An attack from Bedford brought a corner and then, with the whistle, all three points. It will all go the last game of the season since Bedford lead by three points, but Kettering have a superior goal difference. But a home draw will do it for the Eagles, who will really want to finish with a flourish and a thumping win over the Glassboys.
Later, the officials explained in detail to both home and away representatives, the offside decision that overruled Bedford’s second strike and the decision to me, showed the unshakeable integrity of the match officials who had governed this match with some authority.
So, no more Top Field until next season. The last match in at Redditch and I was told that if Hitchin win, they could drag Redditch into relegation with them. Well, that all makes for a competitive match as we bid a temporary(?) farewell to the Premier Division.
All season, home and away, support for Hitchin has been unwavering and the club is proud of them.
HITCHIN TOWN
Stacey, this reporter’s player of the match, Franklin, Dixon-Smith, Syme, Tearle, Jones, McNeill, (Bell), Heaps, (Brooks), Hutchinson, GOAL, 48, 1-1, Stokoe, Titchmarsh. Substitutes not used – Joy, Kamara, GK, Sinclair- Linton.
BEDFORD TOWN
Macaulay, Davies, Brown, Dawson, (Andrade), Mensah, Green, Hilliard, Leshabela, (Whittaker), Panter, GOAL, 26 minutes, 0-1, (Simmons), Lobjoit, GOAL, 74 minutes, 1-2, Blake. Substitutes not used – D Green, GK, Marsh- Brown.
Referee- Mr N Reece assisted by Mr D Morrell and Mr D Smith.
Attendance 1093
Report by Pipeman