Report
It was always going to be hard, an away visit to the league leaders who had won seven on the bounce, but the Canaries very nearly silenced the Lambs, and had they staged their resurgence earlier, they might well have emerged, as they did last season, with a cheeky draw.
A two pm kick-off had been agreed, with a firm nod to floodlight bills, and it might be an idea that will catch on. Josh Coldicott-Stevens and Kye Tearle were both hors de combat and Toby Syme was unavailable.
A pet theory of mine is that players raise their game when faced with stronger opposition and, perhaps oddly, if the stadium is above average in terms of its infrastructure. This appeared to be shown up as balderdash in the opening minute when, in a sweeping move along the right, Matthias Curley sent in a perfect cross, providing a free header for Daniel Creaney who opened the scoring. We were reminded of the number of goals given away in like manner and, of course, it made Hitchin’s task a lot more difficult.
The response of the visitors showed willing but with both Hay and Dasilva being dispossessed before they could cause trouble was indicative once more of the lack of real punch up front. The Lambs looked dangerous with their swift moves, but curiously they failed to add to their score this half despite the elaborate fashioning of many chances. They were allowed time and space, with Finn’s effort clearing the bar from close range and Hoskins doing the same following a corner. The latter had replaced the beefy Dolman as early as the sixth minute.
A Hitchin move involving Jones and Bell looked suggestive, but a shot was neatly prevented. Dasilva seized a run-in possession but his effort was disappointingly meek. But curiously, as time went on, the concession of that first minute goal grew in importance as the hosts did not repeat the illustrious fluidity that had brought the opening goal. They looked dangerous, but lacked the finish, but it did serve to keep Hitchin on the defensive.
When Hitchin did get the ball into the Tamworth half, they failed to pose any real threat and goalie Jasbir Singh head merely back passes to remind him he was in a game as a player and not a spectator. Bradley Bell had an intended shot blocked and Ashley Hay was derided by home supporters for his penalty claim for a push. Alex Bradley and Creaney had successive chances but a
corner was the scant reward. After a wasted Hitchin free-kick, Bradley Bell became the target of unsavoury comments for his nicking a yard our two at throw-ins. Ironic cheers were bestowed on Dasilva after his shot went woefully wide. Then Bell assisted Hay who sealed to shoot but it was an attempt of miserable proportions – and we were still waiting to see the Lambs’ goalie have some testing work to do.
The lively Adriel George half a blocked shot and late in the half Bell conceded a corner and Collard’s header was off target. The half thus ended with the hosts just one goal up when it so easily could have been more. This gave rise to the feeling that all was not lost for Hitchin. But the problem of scoring goals has not been solved. Even so, my private thoughts were that Tamworth, on this great winning streak, did not emphasise a great difference between the teams and they were not the strongest team I have seen this season.
This, of course, was turned on its head when the second goal was hooked in skilfully by Creaney for his second of the game after just fifty-one minutes.
This came after a delightful run-on goal from George, who skipped past challenges and saw his shot deflected for a corner. That second goal seemed to put a proper perspective on things, and even the most optimistic Hitchin supporter would not give them much of a chance. After all they were still looking for a shot on target, and some concentrated preparatory play.
Indeed they were concentrating on defence when a penalty was awarded for a trip. Here it comes, we thought, that unwanted and too familiar 3-0 score line. Naturally, Creaney set the ball down for the shot and a hat trick. Horlock made a fine save to deny the striker and it was the brightest moment for Hitchin so far. But better was to come for the visitors who had one or two surprises in store. The penalty miss seemed to affect the hosts adversely and Hitchin began to assert themselves, but time was short.
Snelus and Cawley came on as substitutes for Freitas-Gouveia and Dasilva and this had some impact- but not enough it would seem until Snelus, completing a move emanating from the right, fired in a shot that entered the net off a post. A goal out of nothing and there remained fifteen minutes for the chance of a remarkable draw. It suddenly seemed possible and the players seemed to be aware of this.
Our fixture secretary let fall the comment that it was the hope that kills, and I know what he meant by it, yet believe it or not, the Canaries did come close to this unlikely achievement. Time was against them of course but they gave it a go, frustrated that they could not get the ball forward with ease.
Tamworth obviously wanted to restore the two goal difference to coast home, and Finn’s fine shot was deflected for a corner. When Hitchin won corners I wanted Gleeson to try the ‘patent’ as our players were getting no advantage in the air, but this corner and the next were easily dealt with by a defensive header.
Wilkinson became more involved and Cawley did his best. The former was brought down on a run and the free kick, centrally just outside the area invited a thorough going shot at least on target. What we had instead was Bell blasting wastefully over the crossbar. Snelus crossed to Hay who was unable to make anything of it but the late rally showed some self- belief from Hitchin. Black had a late, soft shot and soon after even the added on five minutes had expired.
The standard of play after Horlock’s praiseworthy penalty save was impressive, and had it not been for the cold concession of that opening goal, Hitchin may well have been a better match for their hosts. Snelus’ well-taken goal meant for a thoroughly competitive finish and had the Canaries forced a draw much praise would have been heaped upon them.
Yet it must still be said that the shortage of goals suggests that we still lack an out and out striker, since we really bought to have scored more goals than we have so far.
So, another defeat and the urgent quest for league points has more importance. The upcoming visit to Stratford Town is just a bit more crucial, since the Bards notched up a crucial 4-2 victory against FA Cup heroes Needham Market. Results today see Hitchin placed just one place above the relegation zone. That is an uncomfortable place to be even thought there are many games to come.
What does bring some comfort is the way the team played when all seemed utterly lost. I feel that such an attitude will bring eventual reward.
TAMWORTH
Jasbir Singh, Matthias Curley, Luke Fairlamb, Gift Mussa, Alex Collard, captain Liam Dolman, ( Cameron Howkins), Kyle Finn, cautioned, Alex Bradley, Daniel Creaney, star man, TWO GOALS, 1 and 51 minutes, (Jordan Clement), Ty Deacon, Adrienne George, ( Shaquille Whittingham).
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Malaki Black, Stanley Georgiou, Lewis Barker, Ciaren Jones, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, (Steve Cawley), Stephen Gleeson, cautioned, Ashley Hay, Rio Dasilva,(Jack Snelus 0- GOAL 75 MINUTES, ) Finley Wilkinson, cautioned.
Referee- Mr D Pattison, assisted by Mr A Ford and Mr P Carter.,
Attendance 668
REPORT BY PIPEMAN