Report
Well, a point is a point and a welcome one, especially as the Canaries scored their first goal in four games and were once again a more dominant force in the second half. And once again, a mediocre start was duly punished, and it seemed that the sequence of 0-3 reverses might be continued. The fact that it was not owes much to the determination of the team, aware that improvement was both desired and necessary.
Stan Georgiou and Josh Coldicott-Stevens returned to the colours and made their presence felt; Charlie Horlock did a skipper’s job and Steve Gleeson had one of his more influential games. A draw against a team that has returned some good results and were placed in the top six might be seen as a satisfactory score and overall, it was.
A moderate attendance might reflect that there was an England international on television, and the game sparked to life in the autumnal chill. It was the Saints, though, who asked the early questions, with Greg Kaziboni being able to weave his way through the defence, sending in a cross that Callum Milne headed over the bar. Kaziboni was a continual threat in the first half, as was Jonathan Herd with his masterly long throws that usually caused mayhem or serious concern.
Gleeson’s first corner for Hitchin was a ‘patent’ one, but the best it brought was a blocked attempt by Diogo Freitas-Gouveia. A Michael Richens for the Saints was partially defended and Kaziboni followed up with a shot that took a deflection for a corner. His next cross was only just defended as the visitors continued to press. This replicated the pattern of our most recent games and we watched nervously as the team struggled to gain possession and promote a few passing moves – but instead of this they were defending with Kaziboni trying another shot and then a cross that Horlock was able to cut out.
With Hitchin still timorous in attack and a little nervous in defence it came as no great surprise that after an ill-directed clearance after seventeen minutes, Saints opened the scoring with a fine counter move. Gathering possession there was a slick couple of passes and Tyrone Baker was able to slip the ball past Horlock. Make no bones about it, the lead was deserved and at this stage it seemed that St Ives would garner a handsome three points on the road. If they had played the rest of the game as they did the first half hour then they may well have done.
They had restricted Hitchin hitherto, but the hosts seemed to decide that they had enough of their own meekness and in the latter part of the first half they began to assert themselves and indeed went on to be the marginally better side in the second half. Wilkinson had a half chance, Hay worked for a favourable service, Malaki Black looked for openings and Kye Tearle on his flank sought to get the ball into the opponents’ half.
The ball had fallen nicely for the Saints so far but Hitchin’s persistence off the ball was beginning to tell. Freitas-Gouveia showed admirable persistence in chasing down and forcing a corner, which Gleeson chose to send long this time. For Saints, a long ball up field found Sharif and his creditable effort was deflected for a corner. This one was a close call again and whenever Herd shaped up for a long throw, danger was anticipated.
A good move from Black and Coldicott-Stevens won a corner for Hitchin, who were now spending more meaningful time in the attacking half. Gleeson’s cross saw Milne defend, and Wilkinson had another blocked effort. Just a couple of minutes after this the remarkable equaliser was scored and again it was due to persistence – this time from Malaki Black who shrugged off challenges and his pass to Wilkinson did not really anticipate the shot from range – some 25-30 yards. It was on target and James Goff appeared to have it covered but a deflection deceived him and Hitchin were level.
The extent of the deflection varied according to which team you favoured as I later found out. If there was a smile of fortune then it made up for the one or two inexcusable misses that have made us groan in frustration.
So, eight minutes to the interval and all square. It was grudgingly conceded that at this stage it was ‘against the run of play’. That may have been the case but from that point Hitchin enjoyed some degree of rejuvenation and may well have snaffled the winner in a much improved second half. Having said that, it was equally possible that the Saints, in one of their many raids could have done the same. They did not recreate the same tempo of their first half performance and, happily for home supporters, Hitchin played with greater skill, confidence and sheer persistence.
Early in the second spell there was a decent shot from Tyrone Baker that Horlock held and there was a magnificent defensive tackle from Toby Syme than snuffed out a realistic chance for the visitors. Baker and Sherif had a good interchange of passes, but the cross was cut out by Black. Stan Georgiou, with his usual attention to duty fully justified his inclusion, with some wondering why he was omitted from the start at Stourbridge. Hitchin won a free-kick on the edge of the area but the kick, low and on target was easily saved by Goff. A cross from Tearle and a pass from black saw Gleeson have a crack on goal, but the shot came after the whistle for an infringement.
Black had a hopeful punt from range and Jack Green, playing in the centre of defence got himself usefully in the way on several occasions.
Saints’ sub Cowling headed over the bar from another menacing long throw from Herd. Another long throw from this persistent gentleman saw Williams fire in what turned out to be a limp effort. At the other end Black fired one in that was high but not mighty (and may even have disturbed the Almighty).
Coldicott-Stevens tried a lob, which was optimistic, but worth a go.
Hitchin substitute Snelus started a good counterattack that lost its way in the end and a further half chance saw him take a second touch that was far too heavy. A corner from Saints saw a Williams header but also a whistle for an infringement. Hay’s one definite chance was embarrassingly off-target.
The last few minutes saw the usual chances for both teams and we were indeed nervous about free kicks, but the Hitchin defence held firm. Wilkinson had a late shot and one more long throw from Herd needed close monitoring.
Autumn may well be here but we can do without a season of misses and only mellow fruitfulness. The team recovered well from the apprehensive start and had a more satisfactory second half – but of course, we need more goals. Five goals in ten competitive matches is not nearly approaching prolific. Among the spectators tonight were Callum Stead and Ciaren Jones, ex-players now with Brackley, but it was good to see that and have a chat.
So, no real complaints about the result as it was indeed a fair one with Saints being better in the first half and Hitchin edging it in the second. FA Cup fixtures mean that the Canaries do not have a fixture on the coming Saturday and return to action with a domestic cup tie against Welwyn Garden City on the following Monday.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Kye Tearle, Malaki Black, Toby Syme, Stan Georgiou, Jack Green, Joshua Coldicott-Stevens, Stephen Gleeson, (Leon Chambers- Parillon, Ashley Hay, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, (Jack Snelus), Finley Wilkinson,
GOAL, 37 MINUTES, sponsors’ man of the match). Substitutes not used- Bradley Bell, Callum Kane and Johnny Allotey.
ST IVES TOWN
James Goff, Julien Saka, cautioned, Jonathan Herd, Michael Richens, Jordan Williams, Callum Milne, Gregory Kaziboni, opposition star man, Edmund Hottor, (Miles Cowling), Jonathan Edwards, (Dylan Williams), Tyrone Baker, GOAL, 17 MINUTES, (Ethan Johnston), Nabil Sharif. Substitutes not used- Gregory Sandiford, Enoch Andoh.
Referee Mr T Whay, who had a good game, was ably assisted by Mr M Bright and Mr B Warren.
Attendance 303
REPORT BY PIPEMAN