Report
Hitchin, travelling to Hadley were aware, no doubt, that their opponents had reached the play offs last season but lost to Berkhamsted. By way of contrast, Hitchin were relegated from the Premier Division. So, in many ways this was an intriguing start to the season for both clubs.
It was my first visit to Brickfield Road, as my previous acquaintance with Hadley was when they were sharing with Potters Bar. I was much impressed with the club’s current and developing facilities as well as their hospitality.
It was a sunny day, and Hitchin had their usual numbers of away supporters, and I predict this will be a general practice since we have so many ‘local’ away venues.
The eager start was anticipated with a number of inconclusive challenges in the opening minutes. Brooks received the first chance, but his pass was not capitalised on, and defending was tight. Hitchin began to exploit spaces and the Bricks, for such is their nickname, stoutly resisted incursions into their eighteen-yard box.
A Hadley long throw after ten minutes culminated in a wayward shot from Bricks skipper, Alfano. A defensive error gave Aldridge a chance, but he did little with it. A similar error, playing out from the back saw Bowler save well from Asamoah, but there was no room for this type of complacency since it often gives goals away, and quite cheaply at that.
That represented, so far, the only real chance on goal if we exclude Alfaro’s miss. There was nothing threatening about Hitchin thus far. A haphazard attack brought a corner via a deflection, but the move ended without progress. Another move on the left with McDonald falling over, looking for the foul, and not convincing the referee.
There was notable vocal support for Hitchin, behind the goal, and the Brick Army appeared to be taking a break for second wind, but there was, in truth little to shout about after twenty- five minutes. Goals had been a rarity for the Canaries at Top Field but had seemed more accessible at away games.
Asamoah’s cross was sent in hope, but his colleagues were absent as Bowler made a routine catch. Hadley persisted with the long throw as well they might as it is a positive tactic. Each one had been met with resolutely. There was a flicker of an away attack involving Jackman, but it fizzled out. The only compensation was on the Souther League website which also reflected an absence of goals in all games in our division. Perhaps it had not been updated.
Hadley supporters came back to life for a brief exhortation, and an unreasonable demand that Billy Heaps should be dismissed rather than receive the yellow card for his clumsy foul. It occurred to me that as in the game against Ware, the teams were evenly matched.
At the award of a Hitchin corner there were voluble protests from players, and an assistant referee was consulted but no form of punishment ensued. It could almost claim to be the highlight of this tedious first period that before it ended, saw a Hadley player upended close to the eighteen-yard box with home fans calling for blood.
They had a free kick, taken by skipper Alfano who hit it in the right direction but embarrassingly high. We had reached stoppage time, and the first bit of combination play that might have produced rewards for Hitchin but failed to do so. A late corner kept hope alive, but the whistle put paid to that.
After the interval Rhiney has replaced Heaps. Hadley brought on We all hoped for a more entertaining half and a goal or two to enliven proceedings. Hadley had appeared to change their formation and over a man forward, going three at the back. Hitchin had a free kick that produced a reasonable chance and a corner. This favoured Taylor in the Hadley goal.
Play from Hitchin was a little more aggressive but was being dealt with, and, minutes later, the substitution from Hitchin was fully justified when Rhiney opened the scoring to loud cheers from the significant away following. Roberts had an interesting free kick for Hadley that drifted wide without contact.
Hitchin looked a different side and had seized the initiative in a vital manner. Play was halted when Ferguson and Brooks collided with the former coming off the worse and treatment was needed. Brooks made a gentlemanly apology which was accepted. Rhiney was again pestering the home defence and Jackman fired wide. Hadley replaced Ferguson with Paone-Michael.
Another long throw was thwarted and so far, this half there had been no clear chances for Hadley, and they made a further two substitutions. Bowler held a hopeful cross and Hitchin worked at keeping the game at a pace that suited them. But as we all know, a single goal lead is marked with fragility, and a second would be most helpful.
Ismail was cautioned and Hitchin had a free kick, wide on the left, taken by JCS and headed home by Skipper Jones. So, the wish was granted, and credit goes to Coldicott-Stevens for a perfect cross and Jones for the accurate band emphatic header. The goal was timed at, I think seventy- three minutes. There were no announcements, no tannoy system to confirm details.
— Ian Davies (@Ian_Daviess) August 9, 2025
It was still curious how Hitchin had emerged from an indifferent first half to be so dominant in the second. Briggs was replaced by Tearle and Hadley also made a further change, but it was increasingly obvious that the game was beyond them now. A long throw from them brought a corner, with about ten minutes to go. Bowler held the cross in commanding manner. Hitchin were now comfortable on the ball and quietly in control.
A breakaway from Hitchin saw Brooks slip a fine pass to Butler whose shot was well saved by Taylor. Morrall came in for the final minutes, replacing Butler. There was a token attack from Hadley, with man of the match Ciaren Jones in imperious form. Bomolo came on for Brooks right at the end and the main concern was to keep a clean sheet. Mind you, Rhiney ought to have made it three instead of slamming the ball into the side- netting.
But the points were secure, and supporters even sang a request for manager Michael Jones to give them a wave, which was granted. The referee also requested the name of the Hadley number seventeen whose foul was just too much.
The whistle went and I must say it was rather pleasing to begin a season with a win. This win was a little in doubt at the end of the mundane first half which may well have seen Hadley the slightly more enterprising side. This changed dramatically in the second half which Hitchin took by the scruff of the neck, and there can be no doubt that they deserved their win and worked hard for it.
So, one game two goals, three points and a clean sheet. Let us hope that this success may be repeated against Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night.
Hadley Starting XI
Taylor
Kandolo
Ismail
Ferguson
Massingham
Rosemin
Aldridge
Hayes
Asamoah
Roberts
Alfano (C)
Substitutes
Paone-Michael (for Ferguson)
Kyremeh (for Massingham)
Ogbebor (for Aldridge)
Ennin (for Hayes)
Meoded (for Roberts)
Hitchin Town Starting XI
Bowler
Jackman
Franklin
Joy
Briggs
Jones (C) – GOAL (73 mins), Reporters MOTM
Heaps
Coldicott-Stevens
Brooks
Butler
McDonald
Substitutes
Tearle (for Briggs)
Rhiney (for Heaps) – GOAL (56 mins)
Bomolo (Brooks)
Morrall (Butler)
Alemanji was unused
Referee: Mr I Blakey assisted by Mr N Angus and Mr B Twitchings
Attendance: 278
Report by Pipeman