Report
That old football cliché that it was a game of two halves could not have better described Hitchin’s game at Biggleswade. The first half saw Hitchin put in an assured performance and limit Biggleswade to very few chances while looking very purposeful themselves. They were well worth the two goal lead but the second half saw a complete reversal of the first. Biggleswade came at Hitchin from the start and could not have made it more uncomfortable for the Canaries. The pressure was growing and it was not really a great surprise that Biggleswade scored their two goals to level the game as Hitchin struggled to create any chances.
It was never going to be an easy game as Biggleswade were in good form and had already won at Top Field. They are a tall physical side with very dangerous set pieces. However Hitchin made a very good start . The same eleven started as at Aylesbury on Saturday and after 25 minutes Hitchin went in front as Taylor Rhiney powerfully headed home after a Cieran Jones assist. Biggleswade were offering little threat as Hitchin bossed the midfield.
A second goal followed after 31 minutes and it came after Callum Kane was brought down in the area for a clear penalty which Rhiney smashed home. Hitchin deserved the lead and nearly added to it when Josh Jackman had a shot cleared off the line. But the first half could not have gone much better.
Manager Michael Jones warned the team to not drop off as this would play in to Biggleswade’s hands. He expected a Biggleswade response and it came from the kick-off. Hitchin were pinned back and corners, free-kicks and throw-ins proved difficult to defend. After 62 minutes Harrison Rookard headed home at the far post and this encouraged Biggleswade to go all out for the equaliser. It duly arrived on 74 minutes, another header this time from Cyrus Babaie-Gumbs. At this point we wondered whether Hitchin would hold on to the draw but it was actually the time when Hitchin did begin to create more and there was controversy in the 75th minute when Franklin slotted home from close range only to see the assistant raise his flag for a supposed offside which surprised the large Hitchin following.
For the rest of the game Hitchin were again competitive but they could not find the winning goal. It would be all too easy to say Hitchin took their foot off the pedal and dropped too deep in the second half but credit should be given to Biggleswade for putting Hitchin under great pressure. The positive is that the unbeaten run continued and the first half performance was good.
Now it is unbeaten Leighton to visit Top Field on Saturday in what should be a cracking contest in front of a big crowd. Hitchin need to win to cut the gap to Leighton and the supporters can play their part by turning up in numbers and getting behind the team.
Biggleswade Town
Jack Berman
Cyrus Babaie-Gumbs – GOAL 76 mins
Ibrahim Nagheen
Adam Martin
Dan Newton
Barsa Mirtahmasebi
Lynton Goss
Emmanuel Tchetche Dahie
Ebenezer Aboagye Addo Kufuor
Joshua Steele
Harrison Rookard – GOAL 61 mins
Substitutes:
Damani Hunter (for Mirtahmasebi)
George McKenzie Kyle, Niall Jones, Alfie Powell & Basim Mirtahmesebi were unused
Hitchin Town
Tyler McGregor
Josh Jackman
Callum Kane
Toby Syme
Charlie Briggs
Ciaren Jones (C)
Kye Tearle
Fernando Bell-Toxtle
Taylor Rhiney – GOALS 24 & 30 mins
Lewis Franklin
Callum Nicolson
Substitutes:
Cole Butler (for Tearle)
Josh Coldicott-Stevens (for Rhiney)
Brett Longden (for Nicolson)
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia (for Franklin)
Ade Gbolahan was unused
Referee: Rikki Woolford
Attendance: 225