Report
Thanks to the herculean efforts of the Hitchin ground staff the Top Field pitch was able to overcome the big freeze and hosted a local derby that had just about everything. The work that went in to getting this game played cannot be under estimated.
Steve Barker and his team planned a strategy as soon as they saw the weather forecast from Thursday onwards. The pitch was rolled so it was flat and did not have divots that could freeze. Then covers were put down in the areas they knew were most susceptible to frost. On the day they worked on the hardest areas of the pitch and had an industrial heater that was used on the worst affected areas. The referee could not believe how good the pitch was and he had fully expected it would be unplayable. He thoroughly inspected the whole pitch and asked for the heater to be used in particular areas and then gave the go ahead and we were the only grass pitch in the division that had a game played. So hats off to Steve and his team and being the only game being played for miles around meant a magnificent attendance of 1,499 came through the Top Field gates and they created a cracking atmosphere.
Manager Michael Jones admitted we were not at our best but was impressed by the fact that the players had the belief to keep going and got across the line. He was not surprised Stotfold raised their game with the ex-Canaries particularly eager to impress. He thanked the great support which witnessed an entertaining game.
The outcome of the game was in doubt until the final whistle as Stotfold proved difficult opponents for Hitchin who never hit the heights of recent games. Local derbies are never easy and Stotfold with an ex-Hitchin coach as manager and a number of ex-Canaries in their team were never going to make it easy for Hitchin. The Hitchin team was unchanged from Barton with Josh Coldicott-Stevens returning to the bench.
The crowd certainly had value for money. Hitchin started on top and Taylor Rhiney had a goal disallowed for offside after 5 minutes. Then Callum Kane had a good run and his cross was cleared for a corner. Lewis Franklin shot wide after good work by Callum Nicolson as Hitchin remained in control. For Stotfold Lewis Thomas shot over the bar before Rhiney missed a good chance for Hitchin. Henry Snee shot wide from a good position against his former club but Hitchin took the lead in the 39th minute with a well struck penalty from Rhiney. The penalty was awarded for a foul on Kye Tearle who was quickly on to a fumble by keeper Liiam Gooch.
Before half-time Snee headed over the bar while for Hitchin a Franklin header rattled the bar but Hitchin deserved their 1-0 lead at the break. However Stotfold took just three minutes to equalise in the second half, as Snee headed home after a good delivery from a free kick. Hitchin then lost their momentum and their passing became sloppy as they did not reach the level of their recent performances. Tearle had a shot deflected for a corner and there was a goalmouth scramble that Stotfold cleared. Stephen Gleeson was forced to come off after a painful challenge before the in form Rhiney struck again after 76 minutes. He scored from close range after a clever free kick routine from Ciaren Jones and Tearle. His remarkable record is now 12 goals in his last eight league games.
Stotfold made a triple substitution and chased an equaliser that arrived on 88 minutes. It was a headed own goal from Brett Longden that saw the assistant raise his flag but after a discussion with the referee the goal was given. Eight minutes extra time was signalled and in the fifth minute Hitchin regained the lead. It was an excellent finish from Lewis Franklin after good play by Tearle. Then there was a red card for Stotfold sub Hamid Seisay as he brought Liam Brooks down when he was the last man. Eventually after 56 minutes of second-half action the referee ended a game that certainly gave supporters plenty to enjoy.
Hitchin were far from their best but to win when you do not play well is the mark of a good side. It is now 18 games unbeaten and Hitchin closed the gap to leaders Leighton to five points with a game in hand. There will be times when we grind out a result as you cannot produce your best football every game and the supporters are so important as their incredible backing spurs the players on. But again it is the Hitchin ground staff who deserve the plaudits for getting the game on.
Hitchin Town
Tyler McGregor
Josh Jackman
Callum Kane
Brett Longden
Ciaren Jones (C)
Kye Tearle
Stephen Gleeson
Taylor Rhiney – GOALS 38, 76 (pen) mins
Lewis Franklin – GOAL 90+5 mins
Callum Nicolson
Charlie Briggs
Substitutes:
Blue Joy (for Tearle)
Liam Brooks (for Rhiney)
Fernando Bell-Toxtle (for Gleeson)
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia & Josh Coldicott-Stevens were unused.
Stotfold
Liam Gooch
Enock Ekongo
Romero Smart-Tull
James Peters
Dan Sears (C)
Lewis Thomas
Daniel Kemp
Alex Coppin
Henry Snee – GOAL 46 mins
Richesse Mvioki
Codi Spavins
Substitutes:
Hamid Seisay – RED CARD 90+7 mins (for Ekongo)
Jack Brown (for Smart-Tull)
Luca Cardines (for Spavins)
Ashley Kersey (for Snee)
Sebastian Simpson (for Mivioki)
*Stotfold’s second goal was an own goal
Referee: Deryll David
Attendance: 1,499
Report by Roy Izzard
Photo via KSENIYAPHOTOGRAPHY