Report
It was seen as a formidable task to take on Coalville Town, given their strength and promotion aspirations, but after the hard won point at home to Stourbridge, the team retained some degree of confidence, but there were some changes and reshuffling. Diogo Freitas-Gouveia was unavailable owing to a ‘dead leg’. Steve Cawley was making a start as was Steve Gleeson and Finley Wilkinson. Of interest was the inclusion of Rio Dasilva, nominally a full back but expected to be more or less an attacking wing back, and Daniel Idiakhoa being included among the defenders.
Unusually, away support for Hitchin was not as numerous as usually expected, and the original fixture was scheduled for a Saturday, but fell victim to the weather. That was a bit of a shame for the absentees as we had a much posher coach for this trip as our normal driver was tasting the delights of Bognor Regis.
So, it was the Ravens versus the Canaries on a cold night. The first opportunity fell to Ashley Chambers who lofted the ball into the foliage. He then sent in a cunning through ball that needed Horlock to leave his line to ensure safe collection. Hitchin had a free- kick which Gleeson tried to pick a player and then, in a smart counter attack, Thomas McGlinchy received a perfect pass and slipped the ball past Horlock to give the Ravens an early lead – just six minutes into the game.
Further home attacks occurred, one bringing a poorly taken corner. A home free kick, wide on the left came next and was launched into the box and well defended. Berridge’s shot saw Horlock save with a trailing leg, and Hitchin were already under some pressure. There was a fair shot from Fin Wilkinson, on target but saved comfortably by Paul White. Another attack seemed to scythe its way through the Hitchin defence and a corner was conceded but again defended well.
Getting sustained possession was a problem for Hitchin and a shot from Chitiza brought another home corner. A counter from Hitchin did bring a cross or really a shot from Wilkinson that lacked volition and once more the hosts swift counter brought a further corner. Morrell, seizing possession in midfield tried one from range but without success.
Morrell was showing some intelligent touches as Hitchin began to get more of the ball. With another corner conceded, the defence coped well. Then in a quick raid there was a fine shot from McGlinchy that struck the far post, and travelled towards the other and crossed the line en route and Hitchin found themselves two down after twenty—seven minutes. Since the quick counter had been a marked feature of the Ravens’ play this score line was not exactly surprising. Furthermore the hosts did not seem content with this an continued to press.
A brief interlude came when Hitchin had a free kick in the attacking half but no progress was made. Better was a run from Idiakhoa who shot on the run and this was parried by White. It was a glimmer of hope, nonetheless. And then, further disastrous play when Wilkinson conceded a penalty, easily converted by Eliot Putman. Good Lord, I thought three down and with almost ten minutes of the first half to go. Tough for us but easy for them.
Further inroads for the Ravens were mercifully held in check by the off side flag, but still they came, and then Hay, finding himself alone up front and in possession, ran confidently but his effort was kept out well by Paul White’s legs. It was all too rare an opportunity and home fans were already predicting promotion, which happens to be a realistic claim, given the Ravens form and league position.
White further distinguished himself with a brace of saves from Hay and Coldicott – Stevens. Hitchin were trying and this with Coalville keeping their attacking intent. Given White’s three saves it was a bit of a shame that there was yet to be a consolatory strike from Hitchin who took this rather large deficit to the interval.
Bradley Bell replaced Steve Gleeson for the second half and we suspected that this would not be the only change. There was no change in the overall pattern of play. Berridge beat the off side trap but his cross went begging.
This same player charged along the left flank, cut in effortlessly band placed a fine shot well out of Horlock’s reach and, painful though it was we were now four goals to the bad and facing possibly our worst defeat.
Cawley was replaced Josh Allen after this fifty- second minute strike. The scout from Nuneaton, our next opponents would have plenty to report of our perceived weaknesses. A corner from Hitchin, won from a blocked shot, sailed over the heads of all. A cross for Hay saw our player receive a definite push which went unnoticed but I suppose I am snapping up unconsidered trifles here. Berridge was soon at it again and his measured pass saw Doyle- Charles fire wide. Then McGlinchy narrowly missed completing his hat trick, and we sought relief in vain. Josh Allen got into the penalty box and his cross did win a corner that brought no dividends.
A good move started from the left by Hitchin was put paid to and a corner was defended with precision which led to the inevitable counter attack. The wags of the Shed End held an almost musical view that we were ‘ going down with the Barwell.’ They were barely out of the chorus when substitute Luke Shaw capitalised on a glaring hole in the Hitchin defence and made it 5-0. Oh Lord, I prayed , forgive me my transgressions and make the referee blow early.
There was almost twenty minutes to go. At least Barker prevented a sixth and a poor header from a corner kept the score at five. I was beginning to wonder how we had held this rampant team to 2-2 at Top Field. Then there was a consolation when Wilkinson made it 5-1, and tongue-in-cheek visiting supporters had a little chorus that predicted a 6-5 win. Was this what we call gallows humour?
Bell had a blocked shot before the Ravens rampaged again passing the ball about for fun. Stan Georgiou completed the Hitchin substitutions, coming on for Toby Syme with about eight minutes of normal time to go. Late Hitchin attacks were undone by their own imprecision but at least they stuck at it, not always easy when you are getting a bit of a pasting. Two minutes were added by the referee and Coalville were looking for a sixth but had to be content with five, which was indeed more than enough.
It was Hitchin’s worst defeat of the season and, I believe, Coalville’s eighth successive league win. We can have no complaints, being generally outclassed, but a second goal might have eased the pain a little, and prevented in any case by Paul White’s excellent series of saves.
We thank Coalville for their first class hospitality and wish them well in their promotion push, having narrowly failed at that stage last season in the play-offs. And who could forget their win over Notts County in the FA Cup?
COALVILLE TOWN
Paul White, Herve Pepe-Ngoma, EliotPutman, PENALTY GOAL, 36 minutes, Jake Eggleton, Chris Robertson, George Wilson, (Connor Smith), Tendai Chitiza, Joe Doyle-Charles, captain ,Tim Berridge, GOAL, 52 minutes,( Luke Shaw, GOAL, 72 minutes, Ashley Chambers, Tom McGlinchy, TWO GOALS, 6 AND 26 minutes.Substitutes not used- Jake Laban and Alex Dean.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Dan Idiakhoa, Rio Dasilva, Toby Syme, (Stan Georgiou), Jack Morrell, Lewis Barker, Finley Wilkinson,GOAL, 80 minutes, Stephen Gleeson, (Bradley Bell), Ashley Hay, Stephen Cawley, (Josh Allen), Josh Coldicott-Stevens. Substitutes not used – Layne Eadie, Jack Snelus.
Referee- Mr Luke Scott, a good game with no cards issued, assisted by Mr Callum Timperley and Mr Thomas Taylor.
Attendance – 451
Report by Pipeman.