Report
A battling Hitchin Town came from behind to gain three valuable points on a match that was both entertaining and enterprising. Statistics reveal just how evenly matched the two teams are, but for Hitchin it was a reprise of last season at this stadium, where points were again vital and a 1-0 win was the result. The win tonight was fraught with tension and controversy, with the hosts claiming they were denied a penalty in stoppage time.
On mentioning the stadium, every time we visit there are improvements, and this time we saw a considerable increase in the number of seats. The playing surface was also very impressive. Stratford ended a poor run of recent results with a thumping 4-2 win over Needham Market and were looking to continue that improvement at Hitchin’s expense.
The controversial element was restricted to the least frantic minutes until then we had a well-contested game of open and at times exhilarating football. The opening minutes could well have seen Hitchin snatching the lead following a ‘patent’ corner. There were two strikes on goal, with Finley Wilkinson’s effort striking the underside of the bar and the follow-up being too high. What a tonic it would have been to get an early goal.
This excitement gave way to a counter move from the hosts involving Andre Wright and Jack Storer. Both teams were intent on attack and there was some neat and crisp play. Hitchin’s forward moves were suggestive, meeting as it did, some well calculated defending. Stratford were able to apply some pressure with a fine free-kick wide on the left that won a corner, which then brought another and the set piece nerves were in place. Horlock punched clear and from the counter move involving Cawley and Dasilva Hitchin won a free kick that was defended, although, shortly after Malaki Black saw yellow. Ashley Sammons free-kick from this incident was defended.
Wilkinson’s assistance enabled Dasilva to try a shot but it was way off the mark. I was amused when, on a brief break in play, Stratford’s Paul McCone asked Hitchin supporters behind the goal if their journey to Warwickshire had been a comfortable one. This sort of thing could only happen in non- league.
The next bit of action saw a Dasilva cross with Ciaren Jones having a shot that was saved by Luke Bell. There was a worrying moment when Horlock had to deal with an awkward deflection, which he managed well.
Good Stratford defending was in evidence when a smart move from Dasilva and Wilkinson saw the latter neatly denied further progress. Then, with a magnificent defensive tackle, Taylor Morrison prevented Hay from advancing on goal to what would have been a one on one with the keeper. Then it was The Bards turn for a bit of sustained pressure. Storer had two shots on target, both of which brought corners. These were defended resolutely and the pressure was relieved with a Hitchin attack with Dasilva stroking the ball into the net, knowing full well he was offside.
We were approaching half-time but the hosts had time for two more corners. With these defended, Hitchin went forward and a cross from Bradley Bell was just too strong for Steve Cawley to control. Then, in stoppage time Stratford had a free-kick just outside the area. This looked a real chance but fortunately for Hitchin it struck the defensive wall and the whistle went for the interval.
It had been a good game, free of cynical fouls or aggressive behaviour and Hitchin supporters were generally pleased, but if a point might seem acceptable given recent results, three would be trebly welcome. The Canaries had come tantalisingly close to scoring in that scorching opening few minutes but still searched for a legitimate goal.
The Bards kicked off the second half with a purposeful attack from Andre Wright who did all the artistic work but put in a pig’s ear of a shot. Then, shortly after a fine and fast move involving Grocott and Storer saw the latter net sublimely but, to Hitchin’s relief it was adjudged offside. At the other end a ‘patent’ corner from Hitchin yielded to a Stratford counter move that won a corner, which was cleared by Gleeson.
Hitchin had a corner themselves, sent in by Gleeson and Luke Bell punched it partially clear, with Jones sending in another cross and thus winning another corner. With this almost cleared Bell sent in another cross that took a deflection that was monitored by the Bards’ keeper. We were three minutes short of the hour mark when Stratford took the lead with a smart move and a fine finish, involving Wilding and Lafferty whose emphatic finish was a cue for ‘Glad All Over’, the old hit of The Dave Clark Five to be broadcast almost in its entirety as if for emphasis. Now it is a small thing but I knew the writer of this song, organist Mike Smith, who when the royalties came in, bought his parents a bungalow at the seaside, as a special thanks for the music lessons they had provided for him. I remember when he left Edmonton he gave me some of his books.
With nostalgic memories pushed aside I felt that the situation was quite serious as a defeat tonight could well put the team into the relegation zone, but I recalled how in almost every game their play improved in the second half and indeed they gave Tamworth a scare on Saturday and almost snatched a draw. Indeed within five minutes the Canaries were level. I remember a comical foul throw from Bradley Bell and following a thwarted Stratford attack a long clearance bounced awkwardly and for some reason Luke Bell was some distance from his line and he stared aghast as the ball bounced towards his empty net. I felt that it had been unwittingly helped on its way by a defender but Ashley Hay scampered forward and I am told that he tapped the ball in, even though it would have gone in unaided.
So a slightly bizarre equaliser but they all count band once again the texture of the game changed, with about half an hour to go. I need not mention that there was no ‘ Glad All Over’ played, not even a chorus. But we were not glad yet as there were some dramatic moments still to be endured and others to be enjoyed.
Storer’s assistance enabled Wright an on-target header that Horlock held and then Wright was cautioned for a needlessly aggressive challenge on the Hitchin keeper, which was more in frustration than anger. Bell and Hay combined and Wilkinson’s shot was too meek. Then the hard-working Bell had a shot that was deflected for a corner. Lewis Barker managed an acrobatic header from this but was penalised for using a defender as a steppingstone.
In a Stratford attack, substitute Walters sent in a cross that necessitated Horlock to dive low for the interception. Then there was a fine individual goal from Diego Freitas Gouveia whose run exhibited skill in control and a gleeful finish that was much appreciated by the travelling contingent behind the goal. We had played seventy- nine minutes and we all knew that play would be frantic until the final whistle.
It was expected that Stratford would lay siege to the Hitchin goal, but before they could Luke Bell needed to punch a Hitchin corner clear, but soon he had to deal with another corner and this was a useful bit of pressure for Hitchin who would have liked to increase their lead. Diogo was having a notable time and it will be noted that he had come on as a substitute for the cautioned full- back Malaki Black.
James O’ Neill had the right idea for the Bards as his long throws caused mayhem, one leading to a desperate goal line clearance. Hitchin were definitely creaking here with minutes still to go. Jones was on hand to affect a clearance when it seemed the hosts had broken through. Then came the huge penalty appeal, which, when dismissed, incensed home players who appealed in vain to the referee, two of whom being cautioned as a result.
Was it a penalty? Home officials were certain claiming a two- footed challenge. If it had been awarded I for one would not have been surprised but I made sure I spoke to the referee after the game. He was adamant that the aggrieved player ‘was already falling and there was no contact’. No doubt that will be seen as bias from me – and no doubt if the situation were reversed we too would be calling for a penalty. But it was not given and the game concluded with Hitchin keeping their composure, defending well and taking maximum points and leap frogging Stratford in league positions.
That win moves Hitchin up four places, such was the importance of that win.
Leaving the controversy aside, which is difficult, it had been a good game. The next league game is in a week’s time away at Nuneaton; before that we have a Saturday home game in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup against county neighbours Potters Bar. This gives an opportunity to see how we do against ban Isthmian League side.
STRATFORD TOWN
Luke Bell, Jack Turner, cautioned, Taylor Morrison, Ashley Sammons, cautioned, Paul McCrone, ( Aksum White), James O’ Neill, Samuel Wilding, (Jamie Molyneux, ), Daniel Lafferty, GOAL 57 minutes, Andre Wright, cautioned, William Grocott , Captain , Jack Storer, ( Dexter Walters). Substitutes not used- Louis Bereford, Felix Miles.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, Captain, Bradley Bell, ( Delsin Ackom), Malaki Black, ( Diogo Freitas Gouveia, GOAL, 79 minutes, Stanley Georgiou, Lewis Barker, Ciaren
Jones, Rio Dasilva, Stephen Gleeson, Ashley Hay, GOAL, 62 minutes, Stephen Cawley, ( Jack Snelus), Finley Wilkinson. Substitutes not used- Johnny Allotey, and Leon Chambers- Parillon.
Referee – Mr Richard Walker, assisted by Mr Alex Shaw and Mr Jonathan Price.
Attendance 241
REPORT BY PIPEMAN