Report
It is always a special game when any current league leader comes to town, and the visit of Tamworth provides a stern challenge whatever their position.
Hitchin faced this latest test with a degree of confidence given the boost they received by defeating Cheshunt, of the National League South 2-0 in the semi final of the Hertfordshire Senior Cup, in a game they deserved to win. I extend my personal thanks to secretary Roy Izzard for agreeing to report this match, owing to my enforced absence for hospital treatment. It did mean that I was able to listen to the engaging Freddie Cardy and his radio broadcast of the game, with Stephen Gleeson as his guest.
Toby Syme, scorer of one of the goals, was unavailable since his one match suspension was served today, and I think he will remember what an eventful week he has had, starting with such a good performance at Leiston. Hitchin’s run without a league win seems to be emboldened by the number of fighting draws that has revealed a team with real spirit and, not so wonderful perhaps, a predilection to indulge in karaoke on the homeward bound coach.
There was a welcome return for Stan Georgiou, and Ciaren Jones, his loan period expired, had returned to Brackley. It was good to see Kye Tearle making a start as well. The Lambs, in all blue kicked off and we all hoped for an exciting game. There was an almost immediate free kick for the Canaries, just inside the Tamworth half that almost set up an away counter attack. Then Fin Wilkinson was booked for an unsavoury challenge, joining Tamworth’ s Jamie Jellis. We hoped this would not set a pattern.
Early pressure from the visitors called for stout defending, particularly against a corner, and that went for another, which was nervously cleared. Tearle’s cross gave a chance for Hay who sent the ball too high. Unsurprisingly, Tamworth pushed hard, allowing little time for the Hitchin defence to effect stylish clearances. Hay forced a Hitchin corner, sent in by Gouveia, with the bulky Dolman defending strongly.
A couple of long throws from Tamworth proved a useful tactic, and was a warning. A long ball forward needed Horlock to sprint from his line, and the vulnerability was worrying. Hitchin conceded another corner and Horlock punched clear. He then saved a low shot from Milnes. Twenty- five minutes had gone and it was proving hard or Hitchin, but Wilkinson managed a fair goal attempt, but more was needed. A bit more possession would have helped. Horlock cut out yet another dangerous long throw. Tamworth’s territorial advantage needed to be nullified, which did not look easy. Curley curled in a cross, fortunately over hit, as was McKeown’s cross.
The next Tamworth attack brought a corner from a deflected shot, Horlock held. Lambs support was in good voice sensing defensive frailty. It was not long before yet another corner came to test the already strained home defence. Then, oh calamity, Tamworth won a penalty five minutes before half-time. Dan Creaney obliged by putting the ball over the bar, greeted with relief and it was almost like Hitchin had scored, given the roar of approval.
Back came Tamworth with yet another corner and I thought of that epic poem by Macaulay of how Horatius kept the bridge. He was more successful, however, as Creaney atoned for his miss and put the Lambs ahead. It was almost inevitable given their aggressive forward play. It was a fine header and the visitors took a deserved lead to the interval. Perhaps some inspired word from Mark Burke would do the trick, but the first words were from the referee who booked Tearle for an industrial challenge. This was right at the start of the second period. It was still much the same with Hitchin denied meaningful access to the ball and the league leaders looking to add to their score.
Hitchin, almost forced to play long were struggling to find connections. Bell and Idiakhoa constructed a move on the left that was efficiently blocked. The appropriately named Fairlamb was making inroads along the left and Hitchin brought on Cawley for Wilkinson. A Hitchin free kick from Gouveia won a corner, which he took himself and Tearle’s looping ball was grasped by the underworked Jasbir Singh. Still, it was only one nil, so there was hope and Horlock deflected a shot for, yes, another corner, untidily cleared, with Barker taking a bit of a knock.
A mistake from Tearle led to a free shot from Tamworth that was inexplicably wasted, and a bit of a let off. Defending deep howeve was not the way to equalise. Curley’s long throw was defended, but back came those in blue , necessitating a punched clearance from the hard working Horlock. The absence of Syme and Morrell was keenly felt.
I lost count of the corners conceded, which was way above the average and Dolman headed wide. There was another Hitchin substitute, with Josh Allen replacing Bradley Bell. Fairlamb won another corner, and an infringement gave Hitchin the relief of a free kick. Most of the action was occurring in the Hitchin half against what is now called the press, and it was working well.
Oh Lordy, another blanking corner was conceded, and I wondered if it might constitute some kind of record. Horlock went down injured, ignoring the script that this sort of thing is only ‘permissible’ if Hitchin are a goal up.
Tamworth made a substitution with Deacon replacing goal scorer Creaney.
Cawley managed a cross that was defended in an almost leisurely manner and McKeown dragged his shot wide. Tearle’s neat intervention denied Fairlamb right in front of goal.
Tearle’s long throw had possibilities but Barker could do nothing constructive, with a defender breathing Brown his neck. Horlock’s free kick was beaten away for a counter attack and you might have guessed it brought yet another corner for the Lambs. Hitchin made a late substitution with Devine coming on for Gouveia. There was barely stoppage time to go and I suppose that Hitchin had done well to keep the score to that solitary first half goal. Oh for a twist in the tale, it does happen but not today. Tamworth’s win was workmanlike but impressive.
At the Lamb stadium we had only lost 2-1 and today we may draw comfort that they competed but against a team that can grind out wins on their hopeful progress to winning the title. It is not a foregone conclusion but highly likely. Coalville will no doubt dispute that.
Despite the loss, we may take some consolation from Hitchin’s performance, as it had many of the hallmarks of recent games, but they came up against wily opponents who know how to stop a team adapting to the intended game plan.
As a final, personal note, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the many supporters and officials who wished me well with my ongoing health situation and I hope that missing the Cheshunt game, my only absence since joining the club, will remain singular. I will report what my partner, who accompanied me for the first time, said of her visit. ‘It is a friendly club with really nice people.’ Can’t say fairer than that.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, (Josh Allen), Layne Eadie, Stanley Georgiou, Sponsors’ Man of the Match, Kye Tearle, cautioned, Lewis Barker, Diogo Freitas Gouveia, (George Devine), Joshua Coldicott-Stevens, Ashley Hay, Daniel Idiakhoa, Finley Wilkinson, cautioned, (Steve Cawley).
Substitutes not used- Jack Snelus.
TAMWORTH
Jasbir Singh, Matthias Curley, Callum Cockerill-Mollett, Lindon Meikle, this reporter’s man of the match, Jamie Willets, Liam Dolman, Eoin McKeown, Benjamin Milnes, captain, Daniel Creaney, GOAL 44 MINUTES, (Ty Deacon), Jamie Jellis, cautioned, Luke Fairlamb. Substitutes not used- Alex Jones, Kyle Finn, Gift Mussa and George Cater.
Referee- Mr J Crofts, assisted by Mr M Bright and Mr T Ratherham.
Attendance 555
REPORT BY PIPEMAN