Report
I think Steve Cawley summed this one up in a succinct manner, when he said the game was lost in the last ten minutes of the first half and the first ten minutes of the second. At any rate this was a derby game that for Hitchin supporters flattered to deceive, since for the first twenty minutes it did seem that the Canaries had not only contained the Crows but were going to maintain their domination.
In murky, drear November weather, we had an early kick off (1330), presumably to spare the need of floodlights, but ironically they needed to be turned on shortly after the second half began, and it did put a spotlight on what seemed a colossal collapse from Hitchin. Garden Walk is always a pleasure to visit, and each time I come I notice yet another improvement. This time it was the new boardroom, which was constructed from containers – the sort that are piled on ships, but it was professionally erected and was airy, comfortable and spacious.
Royston have had a disjointed season so far with some surprising defeats as well as some significant wins, but like Hitchin, have suffered some injuries to key players. Hitchin gave Alfie Warman a start in place of the suspended Lewis Barker, and with Jack Morrell now recovering from his operation, we had Finley Wilkinson looking on, nursing his injury.
The home keeper, Dimitrios Kyriatzis sported a kind of face mask, presumably as an aid to an injury but it would not pass muster in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, and one Hitchin supporter was amused to see our very competent referee described as a dead ringer for comedian Dara O’Brian. One notable fact was that brothers Cole Dasilva and our Rio faced each other as rivals today.
As expected there were several Hitchin supporters in the 528 crowd, and much was expected of this new look Canary side that had begun to emphasise its penchant for attacking play. Indeed, all began well, with Diogo Freitas-Gouveia in fine form and threatening to run the show. Yes, he let himself down with one or two heavy passes, but his anticipation and commitment made him a dangerous prospect. He combined with the rejuvenated Rio Dasilva in some forward moves and his early shot brought a corner.
Royston were finding it initially hard to settle but there was a shot from Alfie Williams and a blocked effort from Nathan Tshikuna, who was quite fleet of foot despite his robust frame. DFG had a curling effort saved and a free-kick for Royston, taken by Williams was gathered by Horlock, who, despite conceding four goals, was heard to be praised by home supporters, especially for a real ‘Shilton’ of a save late in the game.
A free-kick from Hitchin was punched clear by Kyriatzis, and a shot from Tshikuna was saved. Hitchin’s play was very positive at this stage, with defending turned into attacking opportunities with a pleasing frequency. More corners came, and a move involving Hay and DFG saw a blocked shot. Then came the Hitchin opening goal, that took two goes by DFG, the second being unstoppable. This was after twenty-six minutes and was entirely with the run of play. Diogo’s strike rate has been impressive and as has been pointed out, he does not score tap ins but scores goals that involve skill and precision. It is ironic that his second goal, to make it 4-2 late in the game was the best of all six today.
Now was the time to consolidate, to play the ball around a bit and make the Crows run, but it did not happen. Yes, Hitchin still looked the better team but as we approached half-time there was a resolution about the hosts that suggested that they would not rest until an equaliser had been bagged. Williams and Bateman had combined well and not for the last time. Indeed Royston had the ball in the net which was adjudged off-side, but the warning was there.
Man of the match, and a hat-trick hero, Kian Harness, who could not be harnessed all game was just denied a shot that would almost certainly have brought the equaliser and Williams had a good go as well. Connor Furlong’s shot was well saved by the increasingly busy Horlock, but the pressure came from the Crows as we heard that four minutes was to be added to the half. The interval could not come too quickly for Hitchin who for some inexplicable reason had lost their way and were teetering under this late pressure that came after 45+1 and it was Harness who equalised with a headed goal.
Scores may have been level but the initiative had been ruefully submitted by Hitchin who really needed to find a way to defend with greater effectiveness. But the Crows resumed with the same level of effectiveness and, as Steve Cawley said, they did the damage in an electric ten minutes.
This began with Bateman giving the hosts the lead after fifty-two minutes following good work and the Royston Dasilva. If this showed some defensive naivety it was little compared to the one conceded two minutes later when Harness fired in and Horlock appeared to fumble the ball into his own net.
We could hardly believe it – to go from domination to meek submission after an attacking first half seemed inexplicable but there it was, Hitchin looking frail and leaking goals that really ought to have been prevented. Nothing was going right now, with forward moves breaking up or being penalised for infringements, it was fortunate that Horlock was able to prevent the Crows from scoring again – but they did, following a corner after sixty-seven minutes and it enabled Harness to complete his hat-trick, capping as notable performance throughout.
The game was effectively lost but Hitchin did obtain some late consolation rendering the result almost respectable. They had been fairly anaemic in front of goal, but Diogo Freitas-Gouveia scored the best goal of the game, after one of two forgettable misses. Since it came with two minutes of normal time to go it was merely a consolation but had that been the winner it would have been celebrated with the usual knee slides and then a piling up of jubilant players.
As it was Diogo merely turned away and the most notable feature of those closing stages was a magnificent save from Horlock from a headed effort.
Canary supporters can have no quibble with this result, as the hosts had come from behind and taken advantage of defensive naivety. It was a trifle hard to take after the last two performances, but amends can be made against Rushden and Diamonds on Monday at Top Field. They lost at home to Stourbridge today and have already lost at home to Hitchin, so they will be up for it.
The positives are that Hitchin look a fair attacking force and Diogo Freitas-Gouveia is becoming a consistent striker of notable goals. Yes, the defence needs a bit of tweaking, but I am sure that this will be sorted out for Monday’s game. We saw six goals today in an entertaining match that may well have frustrated travelling supporters, and it was very much in contrast with Hitchin’s hard fought and meagre 1-0 win at Garden Walk last season.
ROYSTON TOWN
Dimitrios Kyriatzis, Cole Dasilva, Joel Nakatini-Brown, Fernando Bell-Toxtle, Ronnie Henry, captain, Daniel Newton, Kian Harness, MANOF THE MATCH –
HAT TRICK SCORED IN 45+1, 54 and 67 minutes, Alfie Williams, Matthew Bateman, GOAL, 52 minutes, Nathan Tshikuna, Connor Furlong.
Substitutes- Matthew Crowther for Ronnie Henry, 67, Archie Cane for Matthew Bateman, 77, and Jarid Robinson for Connor Furlong, 59.
Substitutes not used- Shaun Keane and Freddie Brown.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Kye Tearle, Stanley Georgiou, Stephen Gleeson, Bradley Bell, Alfie Warman, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, Canary star man, TWO GOALS, 26 AND 88 MINUTES, Rio Dasilva, Ashley Hay, Stephen Cawley, Jack Snelus.
Substitutes- Josh Coldicott-Stevens for Alfie Warman 75, George Joyce for Rio Dasilva, 78 and Malaki Black for Jack Snelus, 77. Substitutes not used – Delsin Ackom.
Referee- Mr Matthew Ball, assisted by Mr Philip Evans and Mr Ben Jerrams.
Attendance 528
REPORT BY PIPEMAN