Report
A cursory glance at both the league table and the recent form statistics was enough to confirm that this was another daunting prospect for the Canaries, who although six games without a win, have become draw experts. Only one club has drawn more and that is Stourbridge – and yes we recently drew with them. Leiston, as definite promotion candidates deserve praise for their splendid consistency throughout the season.
There had been some rain on the way and the pitch did look a little soft. Shortly after the start there was an immediate chance for Ben Fowkes following a long goal kick, but it was defended and led to an elaborate counter attack that proved too elaborate. Fowkes had another opportunity that ended in an unintentional air kick. Leiston were finding their way through a little too easily was my initial thought.
A Hitchin corner was headed away by Bailey- Dennis, the tallest player on the pitch and no doubt useful in this respect. The first ten minutes constituted a fair start for Hitchin and they were not harried into errors. Idiakhoa, seizing a fine position to shoot from, sent the ball embarrassingly wide from what should have been an on target strike. But there had been nothing yet from the hosts.
Diogo Freitas- Gouveia had a shot in the turn, which was wide but definitely in earnest. A first home corner came after eighteen minutes and was over struck. There was a good move from Saunders and Fowkes that brought a second corner for the hosts, taken short and given short shrift , and then another, cleared by Eadie. Hitchin were also getting the better of little duels.
Although it was not a great spectacle it was pleasing to see some really positive defending and forward moves from Hitchin, almost if they sensed their hosts were possibly a little below par. Leiston’s next corner was dealt with like the others and anticipation continued to be good. But neither goalkeeper had been tested in thirty- five minutes.
Horlock, with his preponderance was irritating some of the home supporters and it certainly disappointed us when Finley Wilkinson’s measured shot clipped the top of the cross bar with the best and only real chance so far. An away goal in this half would have been very welcome. At the other end a definite chance for Leiston saw Davies lob his effort way over the bar.
Splendid play for Foulkes was wasted and then Hitchin received a free kick just outside the box and we anticipated with two minutes to the interval. The strike struck the post and another corner was signalled but cleared up field with ease. Clearly the better chances had fallen to Hitchin who had managed to subdue their hosts so far.
The half ended with Toby Syme being cautioned for kicking the ball away in disagreement at the award of a free kick. It was volubly disputed, of course.
The second half saw the sun so bright that the floodlights, which had been turned on during a sunless interval had been turned off. A long cross won Hitchin a corner, held by the keeper at the second attempt. No substitutions had yet been made. Joseph Marsden’s careful shot was the closest Leiston had come and it was very close. Josh Allen’s shot was spilled by Donkin, but he recovered immediately.
Diogo Freitas- Gouveia’s dancing play won a corner and Lewis Barker threw himself at the ball but his ‘body’ shot trickled wide. Leiston made their first substitution and Donkin drew ironic applause for some high but wayward clearances. Hitchin were still playing creatively and a DFG shot brought one more corner. Syme spoiled a promising home attack but there was a corner that saw a header stray wide. Another followed and then another after some nervous defending. Then, would you believe yet another, reminding us of our weakness in defending set pieces but Horlock held what was a weakish shot.
Wilkinson had a snap shot parried by Donkin and another home substitute entered the fray. This was perhaps Leiston’s best period. They had a free kick from about twenty yards. This was defended but it was time for Hitchin to reassert themselves with some compelling forward play. Toby Syme was then penalised for a tackle and, rather harshly (but to great home glee) he received a second caution and thus a dismissal. This meant a tactical substitution for Hitchin with Georgiou coming on an Wilkinson sacrificed.
The free kick brought a corner and it was a long time to go for Hitchin. Well, we were at about eighty- five minutes but you know what I mean. Horlock went down injured and this drew predictable comments of an unfavourable nature from home supporters. Ashley Hay came on for DFG for the remaining minutes of undoubted tension. I then heard the home players encourage one another with their view that there were at least ten minutes to play. Horlock made a fine one-handed save from a good cross, but we needed the ball to get into the Leiston half. Davies received a caution for impeding a Horlock clearance and the referee also indicated a full seven minutes before stoppages. This would inevitably mean the hosts piling forward in a game they had reasonably expected to win.
Hitchin have been in this situation many times. Idiakhoa was bundled over on a run and Jarvis was penalised – his caution seen as a blatant injustice.it was a niggly ending. NHay’s flicked shot needed more power but those in purple were giving their all to nick a point. A sliced defensive kick conceded a corner in what was almost the last minute and a late Leiston shot went thankfully wide.
Then the whistle came and it must be said that this point was entirely merited. We may be viewed as draw specialists after today but that is of little consequence. I think most teams in the division would take a draw beforehand here at Victory Road. Today Leiston certainly did not deserve more than a point and we may conclude that they were somewhat below their best in this match. A big talking point was the over zealous decision to give Toby Syme a second caution, which affected Hitchin’s tactical position.
Praise is due for Mark Burke in coping splendidly with this challenge and the players turned in a performance they may well be pleased with. My only complaint is about how cold it was today, which may have kept a few punters at home.
Hitchin now have a break from league football and take on Cheshunt next Tuesday in the semi-final of the Hertfordshire Senior Cup.
LEISTON
Sam Donkin, Joe Marsden, Seb Dunbar, captain, Ollie Saunders, Adam Bailey-Dennis, (Zachary Dronfield), Jake Hutchings, Finlay Barnes, Rossi Jarvis, William Davies, cautioned, George Quantrell, (Ryan Jarvis), Ben Fowkes, (Oliver Godbold). Substitutes not used- Sonny Wright, GK.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, dismissed following two cautions, Jack Morrell, Lewis Barker, man of the match, Diogo Freitas—Gouveia, (Ashley Hay), Josh Coldicott- Stevens, Joshua Allen, Dan Idiakhoa, Finley Wilkinson, (Stan Georgiou). Substitutes not used – Josh Mollison, GK, Stephen Cawley and George Devine.
Referee – Mr Ayrton Hursey, assisted by Mr James Blasck and Mr George Lowe.
Attendance 241
REPORT BY PIPEMAN