Report
There are some of us who get an involuntary twitch in one eye when we play Needham Market who, like Kings Langley, may be considered a ‘ bogey’ team, given some startling results in the past. Our Suffolk hosts have had a notable season in terms of the FA Cup and Trophy but league results have not been so good. But although they were six places below Hitchin they have played four games fewer.
Hitchin, who after a run of good results have tasted defeat in the last two games, with seven goals conceded and an awareness that the defence needed beefing up. Team news revealed a start for Emmanuel Adeyemo, with Steve Cawley still on the injured list. The Marketmen turned out in their away kit in support of the charity for the homeless. The kick off was two pm and the sun was shining.
The hosts had an early corner that brought another and both were defended comfortably. The first Hitchin attack also brought a corner, a ‘ patent’ that gave Jack Snelus an opportunity but his effort was a little too high. Toby Syme was instrumental in eradicating a threat from a neat through ball to Seth Chambers. At the other end, Rio Dasilva shot wide. Takyaan Bennett’s chance from good play on the left was realistic but inaccurate. He then won a corner following a good incursive run.
The impetus was very much with the hosts in these early minutes on a pitch surprisingly below Needham’s usually impeccable standards, but we are in the second half of the season. Hitchin needed a spell in possession, so far robustly denied them. Then they conceded in a snap attack with Jamie McGrath the scorer after eighteen minutes. A prompt Hitchin response was necessary. An Idiakhoa pass to Freitas-Gouveia brought a corner that was headed nonchalantly away from danger and Horlock ended a forward move by launching the ball beyond the main stand, just to be sure.
As we approached the half hour mark it was notable that Hitchin had not yet had a shot on target and but for the offside flag they would have been two down. This followed a home attack where Horlock’s skill and bravery had prevented a near certain goal. There was also a vehement shout for a home penalty but not from the players. Another corner came from the Marketmen as the pressure continued. This was followed by a free kick, wide on the right and Crane’ s effort proved meek and inaccurate. Gleeson was forced to concede another corner which in this case resulted in the disputed award of a home penalty.
Ross Crane duly obliged from the spot and for Hitchin it seemed a long way back. The penalty came after thirty- eight minutes. It was noted that home supporters near me regarded the decision erroneous. That was gratifying but of little help to Hitchin who were still struggling to compose significant attacking moves.
A cross from Idiakhoa saw no-one there to connect and soon the whistle came for the interval and it had proved to be a poor half for the visitors. There were, however, no substitutions upon resumption. Idiakhoa was fouled in a forward run and The free kick was far too heavy. Another followed and was again wasted, and these could not be afforded with the score line as it was. Snelus band Freitas-Gouveia put together a move and there was a corner, defended for another. Gleeson tried a shot that was blocked and thus another chance went begging.
Hay tried a header from a free kick which was again inconclusive, as was a shot from range from Freitas-Gouveia. Collard replaced Bennett for Needham and Wilkinson replaced Dasilva for Hitchin. Matters did not improve when following a defensive error Seth Chambers received the gift of a third goal.There was a mix-up between Ciaren Jones and Toby Syme and Chambers was unwittingly given possession. This came after seventy minutes.
It was no consolation that a Snelus shot was on target but wide. The more purposeful attacks were still coming from the Marketmen who were denied a fourth when Horlock saved from close range. It would have been gratifying to have seen Hitchin have half as much activity in the opposition penalty area.
Perhaps the best chances granted to Hitchin came from home goalkeeper Garnham and his wayward kicking. Of the three successive defeats this one was probably the worst since Hitchin seemed to lack all aggressive intent. Garnham, gathering a harmless cross fell to the ground clutching the ball as if to make us feel he had been endangered. Idiakhoa was fouled on the run and Daniel Morphew was cautioned. The free kick was again wasted. A kind of a late rally from Hitchin saw each effort routinely defended, and it must be said that the Canaries never really looked like scoring.
It was a very disappointing performance and the third goal in particular was once to make anyone wince. There was no resemblance in style or attitude to the team that had performed so well in the run of wins and fighting draws. Needham were sharper in attack and more precise in defence. The one controversial moment was the penalty decision but I doubt that it would have made much difference to the result.
So , once again my ambition of seeing a Hitchin win at Bloomfields was laughed to scorn. The Suffolk club’s declared preference to return to the Isthmian League may mean that this ambition will be held in abeyance.
The earlier home win at Top Field was itself a steal as we were comprehensively outplayed but hung on grimly to that solitary one goal lead.
Saturday sees Bromsgrove Sporting visit Top Field and there will be the hope that the Canaries end the current reversal of fortune. We had a narrow defeat there and so must be in with a reasonable chance, and we hope, a restoration of confidence.
NEEDHAM MARKET
Marcus Garnham, Kyle Hammond, Christian Frimpong, Kieran Morphe, captain, Daniel Morphew, Takyaan Bennett,(Noah Collard), Thomas Fitzgerald, Seth Chambers, GOAL,70 minutes, Jamie McGrath, GOAL, 18 minutes, Ross Crane, PENALTY GOAL, 38 MINUTES. Harry Knights came on as substitute for Collard.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Daniel Idiakhoa, Stan Georgiou, (Malaki Black), Stephen Gleeson, cautioned, Ciaren Jones, Toby Syme, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, Rio Dasilva, ( Finley Wilkinson), Ashley Hay, Emmanuel Adeyemo, Jack Snelus.
Substitutes not used- Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Layne Eadie, Bradley Bell.
Referee- Mr Chay Hathway, assisted by Mr Oliver Sadd and Mr Liam Chinery.
Attendance 302
REPORT BY PIPEMAN