Report
After the disappointing home draw against Northwood, Hitchin faced second-placed Ware in what promised to be another challenging match. There were some changes from Saturday with Liam Brooks, Josh Jackman and Stephen Gleeson making starts.
One thing was for sure and that being a test to Hitchin’s hitherto impressive away record, where they had yet to taste defeat. Wodson Park has an artificial pitch these days, one of a growing number among clubs.
We began with some head tennis close to the Hitchin eighteen-yard box and a half chance was snuffed out. Kifwasima-Mayuma tried to make inroads, and it was through his work, that a simple and early opening goal was scored by the hosts. It looked all too easy, and the scorer after three minutes was Theo Ofori.
Then, following a free kick from the left, Blue Joy headed in the equaliser – and like the first goal, it exposed naïve defending. The goal was timed at five minutes. Both teams then fought for possession. Mayuma won a corner for the hosts, partially cleared by Jones but Alfieri kept the momentum with a long throw, which did not work. Hitchin won a corner, delayed by jostling, and when it came in Jones had a free header that was a whisker wide.
An accidental collision between two opposing players caused a delay and it gave me time to survey our travelling supporters behind the goal – another impressive number. Hitchin conceded a cheap free kick wide on the left, taken by Moutawafiq and it was deflected for a corner. Jones dealt well with this good in-swinger.
Then, with some efficient work along the left, Lewis Franklin let fly and his rasper of a shot found the the top right corner to give Hitchin the lead for the first time. We had played twenty-three minutes. There was another Hitchin free kick wide on the left, but this was held by Nightingale. In a dangerous move from Ware, they conceded a free kick within the goal area, which put an end to that foray. Hitchin had another corner and although the ball found the net, it was disallowed and there were no protests from Hitchin players, who soon had another corner. Again, Ciaren Jones had a clear header, and he put it over the bar.
Since taking the lead, Hitchin were the more dominant team. They had a good-looking move ruled offside. The next move was a little elaborate, but possession was maintained. Nicolson’s short pass saw the keeper make a good save. The tricky Mayuma was stopped in his tracks by Gleeson, who was cautioned. Mayuma took the free kick and sent it wastefully over the crossbar.
We were rapidly approaching the interval, and it was vital that Hitchin kept up their current standard of play, since it was obvious that the hosts would press as hard as they could for an equaliser. Mayuma’s run ought to have been more productive, but he had his pockets picked mid flight, if that avoids mixing metaphors. Okotcha ought to have done better with his header from a corner and we were now in added on time. Jackman conceded a late corner against Mayuma and this was taken short to no effect.
So, the interval came and Hitchin were good for their lead and had played some attractive attacking football and had not been slatternly in defence. We all anticipated a half as entertaining and hard fought as the first period. There were no substitutions for either side as yet.
The first shot came from Brooks which was as wild as it was inaccurate. Franklin was pulled down right by the D and thus a chance presented itself. There was a five-man wall, and the attempt cleared the bar. Then in the next attack, Lewis Franklin shook off a defender, kept his feet, and slotted home his second and Hitchin’s third goal, before celebrating with supporters. The goal came at fifty minutes. Franklin must have relished his change of position tonight.
Then there was another goal, and it was a low shot from Josh Coldicott-Stevens. I made it fifty-four minutes. This healthy lead had visiting supporters singing ‘can we play you every week?’ If Franklin’s lob from his own half had succeeded, they would have sung it again. JCS was manhandled to the ground, but no reprimand was issued, and the free kick was defended. Ware had made four substitutions, which under the circumstances was understandable. They did begin to play with a bit more freedom. For Hitchin, Kye Tearle replaced Stephen Gleeson.
He was soon into action as Hitchin won a corner. There were huge appeals that the ball had crossed the line, and for the second time the referee or assistant judged otherwise. Perhaps we were becoming too greedy. A travesty of a home free kick went straight into touch. Brooks, in a legitimate challenge on Nightingale saw them both hurt. Brooks, with only one boot on signalled for treatment which could be applied in a leisurely manner as he was replaced by Taylor Rhiney.
A listless cross from Ware went for a goal kick and they were doing little with marginally increased possession. But they stepped up with a really fine goal from Esprit after seventy-seven minutes, it was from range and deadly accurate. So, the score now was 4-2 to Hitchin who did need to get a tighter grip ad we entered the closing stages. Another free kick was conceded by the visitors and this ended up safely with Bonfield. Hitchin’s next attack was too easily broken down, and play was halted for an injury to a home player, Esprit.
We resumed with a Hitchin half chance, and I made it about ten minutes to go including stoppages. Toby Syme replaced JCS for the conclusion. Then the home manager was booked, perhaps because he had called the referee a doughnut rather loudly and without respect. Ware tried to push forward, heedless of being rebuffed. They simply could not make their passing moves connect and once again I noticed officials ignoring a foul throw.
Ware had a late corner which was punched away by Bonfield and the follow up was ballooned over the bar. Then, with about a minute to go McNeill came on for man of the match Lewis Franklin. I don’t think he even touched the ball before the final whistle sounded a shrill end to this enjoyable match.
This was a handsome victory against a team placed second in the division, but tonight’s result means we replace Ware in that slot, five points behind leaders Leighton Town, who won tonight and have a game in hand, Hitchin face Leverstock Green at Top Field on Saturday.
Ware
Ben Nightingale
Finley Titchmarsh
George Alfieri
Max Granville
Josh Okotcha
Bendie Idikayi
Theo Ofori – GOAL 3 mins
Sami Moutawafiq
Reece Beckles-Richards
Rechan Jno Esprit – GOAL 79 mins
Sam Kifwasima-Mayuma
Substitutes
Gabriel Chapps
David O Sota
Johnny Allotey
Jay Rolfe
Caiden Remy-Dee was unused
Hitchin Town
Alfie Bonfield
Josh Jackman
Callum Kane
Blue Joy – GOAL 5 mins
Charlie Briggs
Ciaren Jones (C)
Josh Coldicott-Stevens – GOAL 54 mins
Stephen Gleeson
Liam Brooks
Lewis Franklin – GOALS 22, 50 mins – Reporter’s MOTM
Calum Nicolson
Substitutes
Taylor Rhiney (for Brooks)
Kye Tearle (for Gleeson)
Toby Syme (for Coldicott-Stevens)
Will McNeill (for Franklin)
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia was unused.
Referee: Mr F Roque, assisted by Mr A Steward and Mr J Hall.
Attendance: 323
Report by Pipeman.