Report
The Canaries came from behind to achieve a League double over a club they have previously found difficult to beat. With the World Cup in progress and the heavy rain, Top Field was never going to attract a high attendance, but for those who were there on this very chilly evening, a fine match of attacking football was provided, and Diamonds played in a manner that belied their position in the division.
Many had thought that a postponement was probable, given the fact that there was evidence of some flooding in the streets, but the pitch drainage ‘system’ was happily efficient, and the hosts were certainly glad to obtain maximum points, especially after the chastening experience at Royston Town on Saturday.
An early Hitchin attack saw Diogo Freitas-Gouveia well placed for a shot, but he was denied this at the crucial moment, and after an enterprising move from Dasilva it soon seemed to me that this game was going to have goals in it. Stan Georgiou looked set for his first goal but his attempt was blocked.
Then a free-kick from Rushden saw Kartell Dawkins just fail to connect.
There was good work from Bradley Bell who tried to pick out the marauding Jack Snelus, but Diamonds defended well. A free kick from DFG glanced the side-netting and later assistance saw our in form scorer stumble. There was a fine run from Andy Manjoba and this permitted Anthony Agemoh- Davies a decent header that was just wide of the mark. From a corner Diamonds did all but score and the warning to Hitchin was clear.
A free-kick from Freitas-Gouveia was well defended and a fine touch and ‘hold-up’ from Steve Cawley brought a corner – which was a patent once that Jack Snelus fired over the bar. Mandjoba’snext effort was saved and Agemoh- Davies’ fine run was intercepted, but he then had a shot that was saved. DFG fired wild and wide and Agemoh-Davies cross looked the business but even though it found the net, it was adjudged offside.
Then there was a costly moment for Hitchin, which followed DFG losing possession in midfield. This was seized upon without delay and from this immediate counterattack Fraser Corden was delighted to put his side into the lead, and they celebrated the goal fulsomely. We had played thirty-seven minutes and an early response from Hitchin was necessary. But instead, from the resumption there was a snap attack from Rushden and a free-kick from the left saw Horlock just tip the effort over the bar. The corner that followed was defended and provided a chance for a counterattack from the hosts and Jack Snelus obliged with the equaliser, and he joins the ranks of those who can claim to have scored against a former club.
This made for a frenetic last few minutes to the interval and we had already seen plenty of goal mouth action and numerous opportunities for both teams. It had been both exciting and entertaining, even if the slippery surface was causing some errors of judgement. It was even more important that Hitchin began the second half fully focused, and I am sure they would have been reminded of how that lapse at Royston proved disastrous.
The same pattern of play was replicated in the second half, and Kye Tearle needed to be replaced as he had some difficulty with breathing and on came Josh Coldicott-Stevens. After a Hitchin corner there was a counter move from Diamonds, defended by JCS at the expense of a corner, and this again was defended and a counter move set up, giving a chance for Ashley Hay but Dean Snedker made a fine save. Manjoba weaved in another chance and Charles Black’s astute pass to Jack Connor saw no connection.
A move from Steve Gleeson picked out Freitas-Gouveia, bringing a corner and a blocked shot for Rio Dasilva. Bell had a go and his effort went just wide of the far post and Diamonds’ substitute Conor Tee teed up for a shot that needed Horlock’s punched clearance and the follow up was woefully high.
Mandjoba was well positioned to collect the ball for a possible strike but he fell over and Bell had a shot that did not dip like his marvellous goal against Coalville. Bell then received a cross from Cawley but sliced his shot.
There was some good work from Diamonds’ diminutive number five Dante Grey who is no doubt a hell of a player. Another ‘patent ‘ corner was undone by Cawley firing into the trees, but following a free kick, wide on the left, Hitchin took the lead for the first time in the game. This came with under ten minutes to go and provided a little controversy as to who actually scored. It was credited to Snelus but claimed by Stan Georgiou, who at first said it was a ‘diving header’ and then modified this to ‘it came off my chest’.
The Southern League website credits Jack Snelus, who was the sponsors’ man of the match, but our Twitter feed seems to confirm that Stan was the man. I will go with that then and congratulate Stan for his first goal at the club. Whoever it was it still left a good ten minutes of play to get through without serious error or panic. This was achieved but in characteristic style, but at least Hitchin aimed for not just possession but further goal attempts, with Hay having a shot blocked and Diogo was still trying manfully to score in the third successive match.
Hitchin prevailed and a glum Rushden team trooped off, and we know just how they feel as we can recall last season. When you are in the basement it is hard to climb out and luck seems to desert you. Hitchin climb to tenth, it being the only Premier Central fixture for the evening and it must be mentioned that teams immediately below us have games in hand.
Those points were vital as the next two games, both at home, see the visit of Mickleover and Redditch United. Tonight was an improvement on the Royston game and the defence was a good deal more surefooted. It was a pleasing game to watch since it was firmly based on a direct attacking style from both teams, often sacrificing the laborious multi-passing preparatory play.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Kye Tearle, (Joshua Coldicott-Stevens), Stanley Georgiou, mentioned in dispatches,GOAL 82 MINUTES, Stephen Gleeson, (Delsin Ackom), Malaki Black, Bradley Bell, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, Rio Dasilva, cautioned, Ashley Hay, Stephen Cawley, Jack Snelus, GOAL, 39 MINUTES. Substitutes not used- Alfie Warman, Callum Kane, Dempsey Thomas.
RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS
Dean Snedker, captain, Kartell Dawkins, (Jenson Cooper), Dante Grey, Charles Black, Evangelos Empochontsif, Adeoluwa Bademosi, Andy Mandjoba, Peter Abimbola, cautioned, (Conor Tee), Fraser Corden, GOAL, 37 MINUTES, Jack Conor, Anthony Agemoh-Davies, (Dylan Surace). Substitutes not used- Nathan Hicks, Juan Quintero.
Referee- Mr Gv Stanton, assisted by Mr E Unaefe and Mr M Rowling.
Attendance 240
REPORT BY PIPEMAN