Report
This was an excellent victory for Hitchin against an impressive Hadley team that had only lost three games in the league before this game. Unlike the majority of teams who come to Top Field and put as many players behind the ball as possible Hadley were keen to attack and made life very difficult for Hitchin. Manager Michael Jones was disappointed with the quality of the performance but praised the resilience of the team and was delighted we managed to gain three points despite not being at our best. It means Hitchin are now unbeaten in 12 games and last tasted defeat against Hertford in late September.
Team news saw Liam Brooks and Kye Tearle replace Taylor Rhiney and Josh Caldicott-Stevens while in goal Tyler McGregor replaced Alfie Bonfield from the Beaconsfield game. It was Hadley who made the better start and the first 20 minutes were uncomfortable for the Canaries. Inside the first five minutes Richard Ennin put a free kick over the bar and we survived a goalmouth scramble. Brooks was very harshly booked in the sixth minute and this was the start of an eccentric and unpredictable refereeing performance by Mr Smith.
McGregor made a great save from Ennin but then in the 26 minute Hitchin took the lead. A great delivery from Steve Gleeson’s corner was parried to the far post where Ciaren Jones was perfectly placed to give the keeper no chance. Brooks then had a shot saved before he appeared to be clearly pushed over in the penalty area but no penalty was forthcoming. But just one minute later with 32 minutes on the clock Tearle collected a pass from Brooks and hit an unstoppable shot past Charles Taylor. Tearle has been prolific this season and this screamer took his total to eight goals scored.
Coldicott-Stevens replaced Gleeson on 41 minutes and he soon had a shot saved. The referee indicated three minutes of additional time which appeared to pass with no stoppages but he somehow added no less than six minutes and it was in the 51st minute of the half that Alvin Kyremeh halved the deficit. It was probably fair reward for Hadley’s first half performance but so frustrating for Hitchin when the timekeeping was so obviously wrong.
In the second half Toby Syme headed against the post and across the goalline before Josh Jackman headed over the bar just seconds later. Hadley still looked dangerous and Hitchin needed a third goal to calm nerves. It duly arrived after 75 minutes. An excellent run and cross from Tearle was helped on its way by Ade Gbolahan for Diogo Freitas-Gouveia to finish from close range, his fourth goal in just six appearances. Franklin shot just wide while Cole Butler hit the post before Jackman had a shot saved. However the Hitchin defence was very well organised to keep Hadley at bay.
3-1 may be a slightly flattering scoreline but to beat one of the best teams in the league when not at their best shows Hitchin are working hard and the whole squad are contributing and there is real togetherness. The crowd are also playing their part and another bumper attendance of 662, played their part in getting behind the team. The win saw Hitchin move to second in the table and the next visitors to Top Field are top of the table Leighton on 29 November- a mouth watering prospect.
Hitchin Town
Tyler McGregor
Josh Jackman
Callum Kane
Toby Syme
Blue Joy
Ciaren Jones (C) – GOAL 25 mins, Sponsors MOTM
Kye Tearle – GOAL 32 mins
Stephen Gleeson
Liam Brooks
Lewis Franklin
Callum Nicolson
Substitutes
Cole Butler (for Tearle)
Josh Coldicott-Stevens (for Gleeson)
Diogo Freitas-Gouviea (for Kane) – GOAL 74 Mins
Ade Gbolahan (for Brooks)
Taylor Rhiney was unused
Hadley
Charles Taylor
Prince Kandolo
Alvin Kyremeh
Cameron Ferguson
Germaine Agyemang
Hedley Ogbebor
Antonio Paone-Michael
Richard Ennin
Lenny Asamoah
Alphonso Kennedy
Luke Alfano (C)
Substitutes
Cheik Zidouemba (for Ennin)
Levi Young (for Kyremeh)
Bodac Ebengo (for Alfano)
Tommy Roberts (for Paone-Michael)
Referee: Stuart Smith, assisted by Carl Jones & Edward Hall
Attendance: 662
Report via Roy Izzard
Photos by Peter Else