Report
There was a broad smile on the face of Hitchin manager Michael Jones when I spoke to him after the 2-0 win at Barton. He told me he was really pleased with the team and he complemented them on a thoroughly professional performance that delivered just what the management team had asked for. Hitchin are now second in the table and the unbeaten league run stretches to seventeen games.
There were two changes from the Rayners Lane game with the unavailable Josh Coldicott-Stevens and Toby Syme replaced by Stephen Gleeson and Charlie Briggs. The pitch was really difficult to play on as it was very sticky after the frost had thawed and there was also the slope to contend with. Hitchin kicked down hill in the first half and from the beginning were in control. The passing was solid but few chances were created. Taylor Rhiney shot over the bar after a Lewis Franklin cross after six minutes before Kye Tearle had a shot deflected for a corner.
Barton were causing few problems with the Hitchin defence firmly in control and it was no surprise when Hitchin took the lead after 38 minutes. It came after a move that started with keeper Tyler McGregor giving the ball to Ciaren Jones who passed down the wing to Tearle who provided an excellent cross that Rhiney finished with aplomb against his former club. It means his red hot scoring form continues as he has now sored 10 goals in the last 7 league games. Rhiney could have doubled his tally after Franklin set him up but he blasted over the bar. The final chance of the half saw Gleeson produce a telling pass to Franklin whose shot was saved at the expense of a corner that Jones volleyed over the bar.
With the slope in their favour Barton had more of the ball in the second half but Hitchin showed excellent game management and McGregor was hardly called upon. Callum Nicolson was the first booking after 55 minutes but 3 minutes later Rhiney turned provider with a pin point cross that Franklin cleverly headed over Barton keeper Ben Heath and in to the net.
George Joyce had Barton’s best chance but shot over the bar after 68 minutes. Hitchin rarely looked troubled and were comfortable for the remainder of the game. Rhiney shot wide after 77 minutes before Kai Phelan was very lucky to escape a red card after a truly awful challenge on Franklin that could have caused a bad injury. Hitchin made 4 substitutions including the welcome return of Blue Joy as they saw out the game in exemplary fashion.
This was a very good performance against a play-off rival who included a number of ex-Canaries and in a local derby where form often counts for little. The massive Hitchin following were well rewarded for the short journey as they boosted the attendance to 510 with the previous highest league attendance being 210. Next up is another local derby as Stotfold come to Top Field next Saturday where another large crowd can be expected.
Roy Izzard
Barton Rovers
Ben Heath
Ryan Neufville
Tom Baggaley
Ashton Grant
Kai Phelan
Ayoub Enajar
Marcus Gouldbourne
George Joyce
Albie Hall (C)
Alfie Warman
Murphy Culkin
Substitutes
Charlie Milton (for Phelan)
Rawn Seale (for Grant)
Lucas Jordan (for Gouldbourne)
Saul Williams & Paul Andrews were unused.
Hitchin Town
Tyler McGregor
Josh Jackman
Callum Kane
Brett Longden
Charlie Briggs
Ciaren Jones (C)
Kye Tearle
Stephen Gleeson
Taylor Rhiney – GOAL 37 mins
Lewis Franklin – GOAL – 58 mins
Callum Nicolson
Substitutes
Blue Joy (for Nicholson)
Liam Brooks (for Tearle)
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia (for Franklin)
Fernando Bell-Toxtle (for Gleeson)
Ade Gbolahan was unused.
Referee: Rikki Woolford
Attendance: 501
Report by Roy Izzard, Photos by Peter Else