Report
Thame came to Top Field needing one point to ensure a place in Wednesday’s Play-Off semi-final while Hitchin had nothing to play for having already secured home advantage. So Thame had to give everything while Hitchin took the opportunity to rest players. Ciaren Jones, Taylor Rhiney, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Josh Jackman and Charlie Briggs were not even in the squad while Kav Cotter, Lewis Franklin, Callum Nicolson and Callum Kane were on the bench. This led to Thame making a positive start. Tyler McGregor had already made one good save before Gregory Hackett scored a well taken goal after 9 minutes.
It got worse for Hitchin when Brett Longden was sent off after 14 minutes when the referee decided he had committed a ‘last man’ foul, This meant 76 minutes with 10 men for Hitchin against a fired up Thame. But Hitchin looked to be positive and George Morrall hit the post after an excellent move and he then set up Liam Brooks who shot over the bar. McGregor, who was in excellent form, made another good save from Braydon Daniel before Hackett was booked for simulation after Toby Syme’s tackle. Diogo Freitas-Gouveia lost the ball after a tricky run and McGregor again saved well but on the verge of half-time Harry Alexander doubled Thame’s lead from close range.
Hitchin did not really threaten a comeback and it became 3-0 after 72 minutes when a mistake in the Hitchin defence led to Curtis Brown scoring from close range. There was no way back from this and Thame added a fourth goal when Charlie Stow was brought down. His penalty was saved by McGregor but he put in the rebound. An unfortunate own goal from Callum Kane after 88 minutes put the seal on a disappointing afternoon for Hitchin. Nicolson, Franklin and Kane all had some game time after recent injuries in preparation for Wednesday.
On paper this looks a bad defeat but it will have no bearing on Wednesday. Hitchin were in a no win situation with nothing at stake but with all to play for on Wednesday and with their strongest line-up plus the backing of a big crowd there is every reason to be optimistic. Speaking to manager Michael Jones after the game he told me that while he was disappointed with the result he had no regrets with the team he selected. He had to rest key players to ensure they could avoid injuries or red cards . He thought the game saw one team that desperately needed to win against a team with half an eye on Wednesday. Michael urges supporters to remain positive and promises they will see a very different Hitchin performance on Wednesday.
Hitchin Town
Tyler McGregor
Kye Tearle
Cole Butler
Brett Longden
Toby Syme (C)
Blue Joy
George Morrall
Stephen Gleeson
Liam Brooks
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia
Fernando Bell-Toxtle
Substitutes:
Callum Kane (for Bell Toxtle)
Elliott Phillips (for Tearle)
Kavan Cotter (for Gleeson)
Callum Nicolson (for Brooks)
Lewis Franklin (for Morrall)
Thame
Matthew Crowther
Callum Hall
Ethan Lack
Finlay Murray
Brayden Daniel
Mark Riddick
Gregory Hackett
Jack Tutton
Louis Walsh
Daniel West
Harry Alexander
Substitutes:
Curtis Brown (for Hackett)
Lance Williams (for Tutton)
Abuzar Khan (for Alexander)
Charlie Stow (for Walsh)
Luke Tingey (for West)
Referee: Gerry Heron
Attendance: 734