Report
It just so happened that this final match of the season was loaded with significance insofar as the result could have had some bearing on relegation issues, for both our hosts and Barwell. Hitchin, already down, of course, made a leisurely journey to The Valley stadium to make their farewell to the Premier Central Division. It is a pity that this farewell could not have been more memorable.
The coach was a sell-out and a fine gesture from the players was to pay, collectively, for the supporters who have been notable all season. There was a good turn out at The Valley and the hosts were in their customary all red with Hitchin favouring the all purple away kit again. And it was all played on the fine artificial pitch.
A home long throw from Kelly reminded me of the moments of chaos against Bedford last week. The first chance came from Hutchinson whose shot was blocked for a poor corner, another, similar effort was so cleared, but it was good to see Hutchinson being targeted by Jones. There was a Redditch free kick on their left that was rendered harmless.
Then Ciaren Jones conceded a penalty, blasted by Boothe and saved in remarkable style by Stacey. Then there was an equally remarkable incident where Stacey appeared to save a frantic effort and the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line, despite Canary protests. It took the shine off Stacey’s excellent penalty save. The goal was credited to Cyrus Babale- Gumbs and the time was eleven minutes. Confusion had mixed with excitement, and it all told against Hitchin.
The hosts were storming forward, and Stacey had to save another fine effort and then one more after that, which he punched away with both fists. Hitchin were struggling and it did not augur well when Ryan Boothe escaped from his marker to score a straightforward goal after sixteen minutes. That was a good footballing moment unlike Bradley Burton’s cynical foul on Harry Titchmarsh. Tearle’s shot in the twenty- first minute was on target and required saving. But this was an isolated moment with Redditch very much in control. Proceedings ceased for a minute or two when Stacey needed treatment, and this gave manager Michael Jones a chance to address his players who were in danger of being overwhelmed in this game.
The visitors were clearly missing the calm authority of Odell-Bature and Martins, on trial with a professional club. A couple of free kicks for the hosts were dealt with satisfactorily, as was a long throw by Kelly. Then a Redditch corner was dealt with before a superb third goal was skewered in by Dexter Dudley- Toole after just thirty- two minutes. Were we to finish the season on the wrong end of a rout?
There were some temporary incursions into the Redditch half, but they were too timid to have any effect. Franklin’s move with Stokoe brought two successive corners, the second bringing a header from Jones that was easy for goalkeeper Moore. A soft free kick was won cunningly by Redditch.it hit the defensive wall but got through to Ceesay Ceesay, for it was he, but he got his feet mixed up.
We were close to half time and the best we could manage was a shot from Stokoe that was in the right direction, but it was nearly out of the stadium. The few minutes tucked on saw Ceesay Ceesay felled and Tearle became the recipient of another yellow card. The following free kick brought a chance and almost another goal.
It did not take long for this fourth goal to arrive, and it was a close-range header from Babale- Gumbs, who thus scored his second of the afternoon. There was also a header, this time from McNeill but he only found the side -netting. That fourth goal was timed at fifty minutes as Hitchin headed towards their heaviest defeat of the season. They had a free kick which brought a corner and a patchy clearance. A Hitchin attack made for variety in a game where they looked outclassed. Ceesay Ceesay was booked for a spoiling challenge, but the free kick was forgettable. Moore made the most of his ball handling since he had hitherto very little to do. A bit of cleverness in the box, turned out to be a less than subtle back heel, easily read and dispensed with.
Better was substitute Dixon- Smith who struck a shot on the run, but it flashed across the face of goal and no more. The hosts by now had made three substitutions. The hosts, nice and comfortable brought the pace of the game down a notch or two. The referee consulted one of the linesmen and the result was a red card for Dixon-Smith. Then a fifth goal was ruled out by the same linesman. This was one of just a few hints that went right for them in this relegation form display.
Equally as irritating as the result was the constant stream of spectators leaving the stand, having settled but minutes ago and a steward constantly drifting across our line of vision in the no standing area. All right, no more whinging from me. It would have been pleasant to see Hitchin score at least one, but this looked increasingly unlikely.
The travelling supporters kept up their singing to console themselves, even when the hosts did come close to a fifth. They applauded when there was a semblance of an attack from the purple clad, and some jeers when it was deconstructed with ease. There were some battling moments as we reached the last minutes of this lamentable defeat, but it was all fragmentary.
The additional time tacked on by the referee was done almost apologetically. Tearle took a free kick for the ten men. Titchmarsh was replaced by Forbes for this remaining time as Titchmarsh had his nose plugged to prevent blood seepage. A late free kick from the hosts brought just a goal kick, but it all did not matter now. We were somewhat relieved to hear the final whistle that went just as a home spectator upset my coffee, followed by an instant apology. Hitchin players went to acknowledge the support they had received. Redditch were safe and thoroughly deserved their win.
For Hitchin it is starting anew in the Division One Central that provides many a derby and a robust challenge to regain their former status as a Premier Division side. They have done it before and can do it again.
REDDITCH UNITED
Moore, Burton, Kelly, Bunn, Rowley, Dudley-Toole, GOAL, 32 minutes, 3-0, Neto-Teixiera, Ceesay Ceesay, cautioned, Babale- Gumbs, TWO GOALS, 1-0, 4-0, 11 and 50 minutes, Clayton- Phillips, Boothe, GOAL, 16 minutes, 2-0.
All substitutes used – Brown, cautioned, Esen, Lomax, Skeen-Hamilton, Shambrook.
HITCHIN TOWN
Stacey, Hitchin’s player of the match, Franklin, Joy, Syme, Tearle, cautioned, Jones, cautioned, ( Dixon-Smith, dismissed, straight red card), McNeill, Heaps, (Sinclair- Linton), Hutchinson, Stokoe, Titchmarsh, (Forbes). Unused substitute- Gleeson.
Referee- Mr G Davis, assisted by Mr G Lord and Mr C Timperley.
Attendance – 596
Report by Pipeman.