Report
Welcome to The Lane was painted on the small stand, and indeed it was my first visit to Rayners Lane Football Club, and it was good to see the area in the flesh. Rayners Lane was always to me a station on the London Underground, but I knew the area to be prosperous as a metro land town of Tudorbethan housing.
Hitchin had overcome Grays Athletic in a difficult replay on Wednesday night by solitary goal and were returning with confidence to League action. Our hosts today play on an artificial pitch, and the ground is within a well-appointed social club, a very modern complex. The team was much the same, but Brooks had a start, which marked his hundredth appearance, and in that time, he has scored thirteen goals. There was a new signing in the bench, Nicolson, who has played for Real Bedford and AFC Dunstable.
There was no team sheet available, so apologies for the lack of identification. This was remedied later, and thank you for that, Gary the groundsman. Rayners Lane had the first opportunity, with a well- worked move after five minutes. This brought a save at the foot of the post from Bowler. Another persistent attack was cleared by Briggs. The hosts were possessed of lively ideas, and the Hitchin defence was alert to possibilities.
But in a snap attack it was the visitors who took the lead with a low and purposeful shot after twelve minutes. The scorer was Lewis Franklin. This was quite a boost to the Canaries whose away performances have been generally good. Rayners Lane tried to hit back but were well contained.
There was a Hitchin corner that saw a shot cleared from the line and the follow up blasted into the uniform trees. A decent attack from the hosts saw the ball launched into the trees at the other end. A home free kick was awarded in a fine position, allowing a set piece move. This cannoned off Brooks, a Hitchin effort soon followed, but the goalkeeper was equal to it. Another Hitchin corner failed to produce an accurate shot. A couple of hopeful crosses were reduced by the home side, the second one being the more dangerous, but it was cleared with little problem. Hitchin were comfortable but I think many supporters would have liked to have seen the second goal. This wish was granted erelong.
A corner for the Lane saw a chance for Bobby Bircham but Bowler had no difficulty with the routine save, and Patmore, in the opposition goal made a fair reaction save with his feet. But he could not keep out the next effort which was scored after forty-two minutes. The scorer was Josh Jackman.
Hitchin continued to attack as the interval approached, and an attack resulting from a corner was caught offside. Moves from the opposition were becoming too easily interpreted. Within a minute we had reached the interval. It was not good news for the hosts who had lost 1-5 to London Lions in a midweek game, following a defeat to Biggleswade FC.
We resumed with Hitchin comfortable on the ball and seeking a third goal. The hosts tried to construct meaningful moves in order to redress the balance, but each move fell through. A free kick by JCS did not match expectations. Franklin’s cross brought a cheap corner that was neatly defended, The Lane had brought on Adomako- Mensah and the visitors replaced Heaps and Butler with Tearle and Mc Donald.
Alemanji had the next effort, which cleared the bar and appeared to disarrange the player’s hairdo, requiring remedial treatment. Then a player from each side went down injured and that created the impromptu drinks break. Then we saw the debut of Nicolson, who came on for Franklin.
There was a free kick for Lane, wide on the right and the brandishing of a yellow card but I am not sure for whom. McLeod had a chance at close range, but it was too meek. Another home free kick brought a corner, and this constituted the best spell for the home side. Alemanji was outnumbered in his next exploratory move, and the next one was all too easily spoiled. Then Rhiney replaced Alemanji with just over a quarter of an hour to go. Play had become a little ill- focused and Kane had little chance of meeting a hopeful through ball.
More substitutions were made by both teams, perhaps in an effort to spice up proceedings. Hitchin had used all five available and the hosts, four. I was disappointed that we could add to the score in the mediocre second half, but three points are three points, and it sets things up nicely for the home derby against Barton Rovers.
Rayners Lane
Patmore
Adewale
Taylor
F Bircham (C)
Kawimbe
McLeod
Graver
Chiabi
Khan
B Bircham
Williams
Substitutes
Papaj
Adomako-Mensah
Alidor-Hamilton
Mumbiny
Walsh was unused
Hitchin Town
Bowler
Franklin (Goal – 12 mins) Reporter’s MOTM
Kane
Briggs
Jackman (Goal – 42 mins)
Jones (C)
Heaps
Coldicott-Stevens
Alemanji
Brooks
Butler
Substitutes
Nicolson (for Jackman)
McDonald (for Heaps)
Rhiney (for Alemanji)
Morrall (for Brooks)
Tearle (for Butler)
Referee: Mr J Crofts, assisted by Mr N Bilanovszkij and Mr S Akande.
Attendance: 129
Report by Pipeman