Report
I was one of those who, not hearing of the postponement of the original fixture, travelled with the expectation of a game that would match its particular importance to our hosts. At that time they needed maximum points, in the three remaining games in a bid to avoid relegation. Fresh in our memory was Boxing Day, where, in front of over 800, Kings Langley win handsomely 4-2 at Top Field and many commented that our Hertfordshire neighbours were something of a bogey team, and given the urgency of their task, they might be considering favourites to pick up maximum points.
The postponement unwittingly affected matters insofar that as Hitchin were enjoying their first away win at Lye Meadow, against a lethargic Alvechurch, Kings lost by a single goal at already relegated Hednesford and thus they were confirmed as the fourth team to take the unwanted drop. As well as that, relegation threatened Bromsgrove Sporting won, leaping to safety and it meant that tonight’s fixture had lost its original importance. But, of course, it is still important to the players and there was every expectation that the game would still live up to derby expectations.
Even so, we are sorry that the division is losing a Hertfordshire side, leaving just Royston Town and newly promoted Berkhamsted to represent the county, assuming that the Comrades are placed in the Premier Central rather than the Premier South. It is still a surprise to many that a team as strong as Kings would fail to survive the drop. Four going down is a big number. I know that it is of little significance to home supporters tonight but I am glad that Hitchin were not ‘responsible’ for their taking leave of the Premier Division.
Hitchin’s notable win at Alvechurch came from direct, no frills football and they deserved the win, and ought to have scored more goals than the three they did, and The Church’s compensatory penalty goal came as the very last kick of the game. They went into tonight’s game with a degree of confidence and with an unchanged team from last week’s win at Alvechurch. Of some interest was the inclusion of former Canary Isaac Galliford in the Kings’ line-up.
The game began at a good pace with an immediate attack from the home side, which was adjudged off side and Josh Mollison, squeezed into a Charlie Horlock kit sent the ball up field to an incident where hitchin were awarded a central free kick just beyond the D. The ball clattered into one of the defensive wall and thus ended the danger. Then a free kick was conceded by Lewis Barker in a similar position with De Carvalho the taker. That too hit the midriff of one of the defenders in the wall. Buers had a run at Mollison who was able to clear. It was competitive stuff but lacking as yet a real goal chance from either side. Gouveia wasted a free-kick, enabling a quick counter by the hosts who were far too ponderous to cause much damage, but they did get another free kick, again in a good central position. Galliford was the man, and his effort resulted in a home corner. This led to a fair cross from Lafleur but there was no-one in support.
The atmosphere was understandably a little somnolent, but play was sufficiently brisk to raise the temperature. Not so the next effort from Hitchin that was elaborate but botched, as was a fair dash along the left flank for Kings, who just ran out of pitch.
Then there was a strange incident with all the Hitchin players running to the dugout and a few from Kings. Water was taken onboard but I was mystified at the stoppage on this cold night. So, on we went with twenty-five minutes played and yet to see either goalkeeper tested. There was a Hitchin free-kick just inside their own half which yielded a free kick for the hosts.
As we approached half time the game was as tight as Josh Mollison’s goalie kit, and not free of errors in passing and anticipation. Bell’s free kick was dealt with but straight after, Hitchin won a corner. What came from this was a glancing header from Layne Eadie that seemed to roll along the top of the crossbar. That was better. Berman had to run from his line to thwart. An advancing Bell as Hitchin began to have more influence on the game.
But they were kept neatly at bay and it looked like we would go to the interval without a goal. Galliford, with a free shot and time, ought to have done better than blast over the bar. Idiakhoa made an impressive run, exhibiting cool skills but his shot was weak. Even though it was weak, Berman spilled it and there was a hasty moment, but defensive dignity was restored.
Bell had the best shot of the half with Berman making a decent save at the expense of a corner. This was blocked but the pressure not relieved. Keller, after a run and an attempted cross won a late corner for the hosts, and it was Galliford who lobbed the clearance over the bar. There was a smart move from Hitchin that was scrambled away from a corner. It was Wilkinson, I think, who hooked his shot just clear of the bar.
The added on time was played out with intensity but concluded without a goal.
No substitutions were made and the pattern of play remained lively, with both defences doing their work well. An initial Hitchin attack brought a corner, sent in by Gouveia but Wilkinson could not connect sufficiently.
A neat back heel from Jones produced a chance but it was unfulfilled, despite the efforts of Coldicott-Stevens. Then a glaring error from a Kings defender and a goalkeeper saw the short back pass give Wilkinson the chance to poach a goal which he did in a somewhat cool manner. We had played fifty-five minutes and had seen an expensive, unforced error.
But Kings did not seem to be galvanised into action, being confined to their own half for the moment. Sole came on for Danso as Kings sent in a mediocre free-kick. Hitchin’s replaced scorer Wilkinson with Hay. The next Kings attack saw the effort strike the foot of the post, my vision obscured by some standing in the non-standing area, who should have known better. Gouveia provided Eadie with a fine chance which he hit well and Berman parried. Kings brought on Chidyausiku for Bessadi, but the pattern was largely unchanged.
Gouveia’s strike was notable and so was Berman’s save at the expense of a corner, beaten away and sent up the other end. Then Allen came on for Gouveia. Eadie was causing some consternation in the opponents’ penalty box when the referee blew for a head injury to a home player. We resumed with a bounced ball and a Hitchin attack was ruled offside. I was hoping that there would be a bit of a classy goal soon as it was not really desirable to win simply from an avoidable error. Amu came on for Galliford but there was still no threat to the Hitchin goal.
Bell gave way to Cotter and that was it for all the substitutes. There were just ten minutes left of normal time in this game of underwhelming proportions. A good free kick from Mollison gave Allen a decent chance to score but Berman’s anticipation was excellent. The referee saw nothing wrong with Hay being held by the shirt in the box but there was no appeal from players.
Hitchin were pushing for a deserved second goal but were persistently denied. Allen case near to scoring from close range but man of the match Berman was down bravely. Allen’s next effort was a side-netting job and a corner and Snelus won another. Berman saved the header.
This was a fine if unproductive bit of pressure from Hitchin. We were now in stoppage time and we saw Chidyausiku hit the foot of a post with a firm shot, so a bit of bad luck there. It was their best chance of the game. Four additional minutes were tacked on and Langley appeared to be going for it, but were pushed back and Hitchin secured their second successive away win.
I was informed that this was Hitchin’s first back to back away wins since 2020, and the team was avenged for the 2-4 reverse at Top Field in what was a far more exciting game. This one had its moments and it was a bit of bad luck on the hosts to hit the post twice and lose by an elementary error.
However, we wish Kings Langley all the best in presumably Division One Central next season. Hitchin conclude the season at Top Field at home to Ilkeston Town, who are making, I believe their maiden visit to our ground.
KINGS LANGLEY
Jack Berman, this reporter’s man of the match, Ethan Light, Alex Lafleur, Isaac Galliford, (Erin Amu), Ezekiel Danso,(Liam Sole), Jorell Johnson, Leon
Chambers-Parillon, Sami Bessadi, (Joseph Chidyausiku), Wilson De Carvalho, Frederick Buers, Cain Keller. Substitutes not used – Alex Tokarczyk.
HITCHIN TOWN
Josh Mollison, Bradley Bell, (Kavan Cotter),Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, Lewis Barker, Diogo Freitas Gouveia, (Josh. Allen), Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Jack Snelus, Dan Idiakhoa,Finley Wilkinson, GOAL, 53 MINUTES, (Ashley Hay). Substitutes not used- Kye Tearle, Stephen Gleeson.
Referee, Mr C Winton, assisted by Mr Charles Waitland and Mr K H Wong.
Attendance 124
REPORT BY PIPEMAN