Report
The most demanding factor of Hitchin’s opening home fixture was to score a goal, and more, we emphasised, would be most welcome. In our home preseason games we failed to find the net, which is quite unusual, since scoring away provided no such problem, well at least in a couple of matches.
Last season, this fixture adorned the Premier Division but both tonight’s competing clubs were relegated, with the Bedfordshire club finishing just below us. Both clubs started the campaign with a win and there has always been a suggestion of rivalry between us, but hard evidence for that is lacking. Hitchin’s win at Hadley has been well described as hard earned but deserved, and it really supported the cliché of being a game of two halves. The first period entirely forgettable, but the second was a Bobby Dazzler.
Biggleswade, in all grey, tried an early foray, which called for a routine defensive pass and Hitchin’ s free kick was sent far too high from Jones. Biggleswade tried to progress via a cleverly won corner that ended with Kane, back in the side, heading the ball to Bowler. The visitors won a free kick that was defended. This brought a long throw, a good one, too, but Dahie made a mess of the shot. A follow up effort was made available from indecision, but it was dealt with.
In this first quarter of an hour, Biggleswade had proved to be the more enterprising side. Hitchin won their first corner via Franklin and McDonald’s shot only just cleared the bar. That was Hitchin’s first assault on goal. Aerial challenges seemed to favour the Waders but lacked penetrative accuracy.
Brooks suddenly found himself in possession, and he scampered forward to be dispossessed. The Waders’ defence was holding tight. In attacking play Kuffour held off challenges to put in a decent cross, but colleagues were lacking. Jackman’s shot from range was optimistic and it underlined the efficient defensive shape from the visitors who were allowing no space.
Kane sprang to life but was closely monitored and his intentions were read. Another Hitchin corner eluded those waiting and there was a really cool bit of defending from Steele. Dahie was cautioned after a severe push on Brooks but the free kick was of negligible importance.
A Biggleswade counter move saw Bowler read the situation and their next one saw Joy finding it incumbent to put the ball right out of the stadium. McDonald sent in a cross that Rhiney fired in with foot- stomping inaccuracy. Kane’s cross was headed away and a further chance saw the ball trickle away from danger. Hitchin had definitely improved their game but had obtained little from this as yet.
Biggleswade persisted with tantalising long throws, and in a counter move from one of these, Hitchin came close when Brooks fired one in, but Green parried this well. Biggleswade made two substitutions about five minutes before halftime and Hitchin had a free kick near the corner flag and this led to a chance for Goss on a breakaway, but his shot was poor.
This first half, it must be said, bore some resemblance to the gritty but inconclusive half at Hadley. Biggleswade had their enterprising moments, and Hitchin had gradually fought their way to a kind of dominance that had shed no reward. It also served to remind us of the strength of the opposition, seem so far in Hadley and Ware. The latter game needed a penalty shootout, it being a domestic cup game. The ninety minutes had been scoreless. The two scored at Hadley were notable strikes but so far there seems to be an indication that goals will be hard come by. I hope I am wrong.
When we restarted there was an almost immediate corner for Hitchin, taken short and affording a fair opportunity but a defensive boot spoiled that particular moment. Joy caused consternation for the Waders with his brave tackle that conceded a corner and the visitors had fair moments of attack. Another long throw spelled danger and was cleared with difficulty.
Lewis Franklin’s shot on the run drew a fine save from the experienced Green and the closing moment of that saw Jones booked. Brooks set up one opportunity but hesitancy from colleagues ended that effort. Hitchin attacks looked more promising, but the Wader stubbornness was much in evidence.
A well-worked move from Hitchin was eliminated by the offside flag. A free kick for the hosts raised expectations as I felt this game could be won from a set piece. It brought a corner and the expectation remained. This brought two blocked efforts and a netting to a great cheer and disappointment at seeing the offside flag. But the better stuff was coming from Hitchin, and the Waders appeared to be content with a point.
Another corner followed that was awkwardly defended and the visiting keeper went down for the regulation ‘injury’. In the meantime, the Waders made another substitution, with Hitchin, somewhat curiously, holding back. I favoured Bomolo coming on to dazzle. It came but it was Morrall for Brooks.
Yet another long throw sailed in, followed by another and this second one gained a corner. Clumsy defending ensued as a third long throw was met with a headed effort over the crossbar.
Hopeful passes to Rhiney brought no joy in his isolation. Subtle time-wasting from the visitors was easily detected and of course, fiercely resented. Butler fell over himself when a possible foray was in its infancy. Passes were going astray as players tired, and I still hoped for a set piece that might do the job.
Hitchin then brought on Bomolo for Butler – an attacker for a midfielder and an optimism that there would be the one chance that could be denied. Bomolo had this but became entangled with his own feet and Green claimed the ball. A nice combination was spoilt by a poor final pass and still the Fishponds Road end dang their support.
Then, oh Lordy, Ebenezer Aboage Addo Kuffour, for it was he, scored an impressive goal that was greeted gleefully by him and his teammates as it really was against the current play and Hitchin had a hint of being overstretched. Frustration ensued as decisions went against the hosts who had very little time to save this game. It was a quality goal and proved to be a worthy match winner. The Biggleswade game plan had worked well and their tenacity in defence was notable.
The referee’s addition of four minutes saw some frantic play with Rhiney putting one over the bar when the net was begging. It is all very well to say a draw was the more ‘honourable’ result but conceding that goal and not being able to score one is the reality. It seems a long time since we scored at Top Field. The Biggleswade defence gobbled up the frantic long balls forward and yes – the first home game resulted in a defeat.
The disappointment was keenly felt by both players and supporters, and full credit must go to the Waders who withstood all and exerted subtle control when necessary.
Attention is switched to the FA Cup on Saturday when the club entertains Grays Athletic.
Hitchin Town Starting XI
Bowler
Franklin
Kane
Joy
Jackman (Sponsors’ MOTM)
Jones (C)
Butler
Coldicott-Stevens
Rhiney
Brooks
McDonald
Substitutes:
Tearle (for Joy)
Bomolo (for Butler)
Morrall (for Brooks)
Briggs & Heaps were unused
Biggleswade Town Starting XI
Green
Clarke
Powell
Dahie
Steele (Reporters MOTM)
Andrews
Sutton
Kuffour (Goal – 84 mins)
Newton
Goss (C)
Anderson
Substitutes:
Dowdridge (for Powell)
Jones (for Sutton)
Mirtahmasebi (for Anderson)
Dunn (for Clarke)
Simpson was unused
Referee: Mr O Potter, assisted by Mr R May and Mr C Cattenach-Chell.
Attendance: 579
Report by Pipeman