Report
Today marked the first competitive meeting between the clubs, and indeed it was my first visit to their relatively new stadium, which sits amidst a complexity of adjoining pitches, artificial or grass. I do remember the former ground, which was easily reached by me as it was at the end of the Phoenix cycle path.
In their last match, the Oxfordshire side defeated Barton Rovers 4-0 at Sharpenhoe Road, which was enough to put Hitchin on their guard. One enforced change for Hitchin was the replacement of an injured Liam Brooks by Fernando Bell-Toxtle.
An immediate home attack saw Bonfield get an early touch and a Thame free kick resulted in an offside. Then a long throw threatened but was dealt with. Hitchin mounted an assault along the left flank until halted by an injury. This was a prolonged move with Tearle trying to finish but it was unsuccessful.
For both teams, the opening was a steady as you go manoeuvre, as the opposition was sounded out. Kane and Franklin put together a move, but it was easy for home keeper Pettit. Another Thame long throw had Bonfield stretching but notable was Kye Tearle who latched onto a long clearance band finished smartly. So, another goal for our number ten who relishes this position. The goal was timed at seventeen minutes. Shortly after, Bell-Toxtle tried a cunning forward pass to Tearle but this was intercepted. Then Jackman retired injured to be replaced by Toby Syme.
There was a lob wide by the hosts who were spreading play but to only limited effect so far. Hitchin had a free kick in the right, sent in by Coldicott-Stevens, preceded by a caution for dissent for Williams. It was a decent free kick with a chance at the far post that was defended.
We reached the half hour mark with Hitchin comfortable on the ball but a bit short on goal attempts in the last few minutes. Kane and Tearle tried to alter this, but they were outwitted as Thame mounted a counter move, but this resulted in a caution for Riddick.
A home free kick saw an intended development falter and the hosts had yet to conspire a real goal attempt and they defended a Hitchin attempt with a degree of nervousness. Tearle won a corner for the visitors, the looping ball held by Pettitt. Nicolson was brought down on the run with Khan reprimanded before JCS sent in a defended free kick.
A home attack along the left had possibilities but was successfully defended. Then a header from the hosts saw Bonfield dive to save. We were approaching half time with little time added on, but enough to see two long throws from Thame.
The hosts began the second half with some expected urgency but were generally contained. Bell – Toxtle was bundled over for a free kick and thus led to a second goal that looked suspiciously like an own goal, but Briggs was receiving congratulations. In any case it was a delightful free kick from JCS. The goal time was fifty- two minutes, and the lead richly deserved.
Syme took a knock, and Hackett took the caution. Thame then made three substitutions in the hope of altering matters. They had a free kick, hit in hope but without progress. Kane received a caution in conceding a free kick on the right, which Jones headed away and Bonfield held the follow up. Thame were winning more possession, and one cross saw an errant headed effort. Kane matched this at the other end. He had another go, but that was blocked, as was Tearle’s.
Hackett was fortunate to escape dismissal in a needless collision with Bonfield. Then Tearle, in a solo effort scored his second goal with a low shot. Three- nil to the Canaries at seventy- two minutes and what a season so far for Kye Tearle. Then, in a pleasant twist, Diogo Freitas Gouveia scored Hitchin’s fourth with his first touch of the game. I made it seventy-eight minutes gone and wondered how the hosts had managed to beat our neighbours, Barton Rovers. Morrall came in for Tearle with about ten minutes to go. Thame won a corner in a rare foray forward, but it was defended with ease. Hall was getting no joy from his long throws and Bonfield went down injured. The next home corner was summarily dealt with as was the next attempt at an attack. Thame, now trying harder, won another corner, which was hopelessly over hit.
The closing minutes represented Thame’s best period in the game and Gleeson came on for Hitchin. It was, however, an undeniably scrappy finish but was Hitchin’s best win of the season so far. It was a superior performance, but against a surprisingly weak and lethargic opposition.
This will not be the case at Bell Close on Tuesday evening where the opposition will be unbeaten and high-flying Leighton Town, who top the table with Hitchin edging into fifth place.
Thame United
John Pettitt
Callum Hall
Abuzar Khan
Finlay Murray
Luke Tingey
Mark Riddick
Gregory Hackett
Jack Tutton
Lance Williams
Daniel West
Jenson Wright
Substitutes
Harry Alexander (for Wright)
Tyrae Njogu (for Tingey)
Louis Walsh (for Khan)
Ethan Lack (for Tutton)
Curtis Brown (for Williams)
Hitchin Town
Alfie Bonfield
Josh Jackman
Callum Kane
Blue Joy
Charlie Briggs
Ciaren Jones (C)
Lewis Franklin
Josh Coldicott-Stevens
Fernando Bell-Toxtle
Kye Tearle – GOALS 17, 72 mins , Reporter’s MOTM
Callum Nicolson
Substitutes
George Morrall (for Tearle)
Stephen Gleeson (for Nicholson)
Toby Syme (for Jackman)
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia (for Bell-Toxtle) – GOAL, 76 mins
Liam Brooks was unused
*Hitchin Town’s third goal was an own goal
Referee: Mr S Lee, assisted by Mr M Andrew and Mr S Stoodley.
Attendance: 151
Report by Pipeman.