Report
Lye Meadow has not revealed a good crop for Hitchin, who were still looking for a win in this the fourth visit, I believe. Alvechurch have had a notable season where they enjoyed a good run in the F A Cup, but had variable results in the catch up league games. At the start of the game The Church were exactly mid- table, two places above Hitchin.
The visitors were without club skipper and goalkeeper Charlie Horlock, who was replaced by Josh Mollison. Other than that the team was unchanged from the one that gained the dramatic stoppage time win over Royston Town.
I sat in the stand for the first time and it really does give a fine view of the surrounding hills in this stadium of the sloping pitch. Hitchin began kicking uphill, clad in purple , facing the amber and black of The Church.
We began at a cracking pace that exhibited a pleasing urgency. The first possible chance fell to Hitchin with Gouveia stumbling at the vital moment and a vital interception was needed at the other from Ciaren Jones. Wilkinson shot at the other end held up it seemed but it was just off target.
Then there was a successful raid was finished off neatly by Jack Snelus – and we had just played eight minutes. The hosts came back strongly, bringing a save from Mollison and the resulting corner was beaten away. Waldron’s low cross win a corner, which was again well defended. However, another soon followed as the pressure was maintained and Hitchin were coping.
Gouveia made an incursion into the box in possession but found himself cleanly challenged. We were midway through the half and battling. Wilkinson’s next chance was impressive, his shot marginally too high. His next chance was ruled off side. Eadie’s fine pass to Gouveia in the box was cleverly defended but the hosts were being kept at bay.
In truth it was a bit scrappy. Bell supplied the neat cross in the box but again Gouveia was denied. Jones denied Abbey a certain chance but the visitors were able to get the ball into their opponents’ half with regularity. Alvechurch had not as yet seriously troubled Mollison, particularly Abbey who launched the ball rugby style into the heavens.
Gouveia won a free kick, left of central at about twenty-five yards. Dugmore was cautioned and the kick went straight to keeper Jezeph. There remained five minutes to the interval and they were end to end, with a lot of head tennis. Waldron’s close range shot was blocked. Stoppage time brought a home corner, which yielded another.
Gouveia was cautioned for a rash challenge and this gave a Church free kick on the right. Abbey took this and Mollison saved at close range at the expense of a further corner. But the Hitchin keeper needed treatment before this could be taken, and punched clear to the sound of the whistle.
Shortly after the resumption play was halted for lengthy treatment of a home player. Williams was replaced by Alabi. Eadie sent in a Hitchin free kick from the half way line which was eventually and untidily bundled in by Gouveia. It was after about fifty -three minutes. The next raid saw appeals for a handball in the area which was dismissed and another melee was concluded with successful defending. Hitchin were worth their two goal lead but still conceded a free kick too many, and with one of these Abbey’s effort hit the defensive wall.
Indeed there was some stout defending from Hitchin with no challenges shirked. Eadie again launched a free kick from the halfway line but there was an infringement in the box.a good move from Bell and Snelus brought a Hitchin corner, sent in by Gouveia to a foul from Wilkinson, who then made it three with a super finish from an exemplary passing move. Hitchin were now in a commanding position and looking at their first win at Lye Meadow. The goal was timed at sixty- eight minutes.
A home corner was pushed away by Mollison and clearly enjoying a rare appearance. Eadie won a corner in combative fashion, and it was hooked away for an unsuccessful counter attack. Sheen -Hamilton’s intended shot was blocked. Hay was fouled on the right flank and Bell sent in the free kick. It was over hit. Allen and Gleeson had come on as substitutes.
The hosts rarely threatened, despite some over elaborate moves. Their best chances came from set pieces. Mollison held a fairly weak header. Allen ought to have scored following a poor goalkeeper clearance but had too much time, allowing the keeper to redeem himself. He then needed some treatment. Players drank water in the sunshine.
There was a Hitchin free kick wide on the left that was defended. Mollison gave away a needless corner that saw Concannon’s fine effort hit the foot of the post. From this they mounted further pressure met with the same unyielding manner. Hay was tumbled over in a central position, which invited a shot from Coldicott-Stevens that was just off target.
JCS set up Allen for a chance that was foiled and Burton went for one and saw his effort miss the target. Just after this, Ciaren Jones was booked. Alvechurch had a corner and from it won a penalty. Barker was booked in the impromptu debriefing, if I could call it that. The penalty was successful and Waldron was the scorer in what turned out to be the last kick of the game.
Home supporters were quite critical of their team who were undeniably poor in their view. With the news that Kings Langley had already lost their bid against relegation it takes the edge off our meeting on Tuesday.
So, today may be regarded as a solid, no- nonsense display with the defence being noteworthy. To be honest Hitchin really ought to have won by a bigger margin, and Allen’s miss was almost inexplicable. But it represents another league double, having beaten the Church 2-1 at home in November.
ALVECHURCH
Daniel Jezeph, Joshua Dugmore, cautioned, Bradley Burton, Aurio Neto- Teixeira, Harry Williams, Ashley Carter, Jediael Abbey, cautioned, Aidan Finnegan, Daniel Waldron, penalty goal, 90+8 minutes, Jack Concannon, Tyrell Sheen- Hamilton.
Substitutes used- Abel Alabi and Thomas Edge. Not used – Ben Cassidy, Harvey Rands, GK, Jack Spence.
HITCHIN TOWN
Josh Mollison, Bradley Bell, cautioned, Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, cautioned, Lewis Barker, cautioned, Diogo Freitas Gouveia, GOAL, 54 minutes, cautioned, ( Ashley Hay), Josh Coldicott- Stevens, Jack Snelus, GOAL,8 minutes, (Josh Allen), Daniel Idiakhoa, ( Stephen Gleeson), Finley Wilkinson. GOAL, 68 minutes,Substitutes not used- Kye Tearle, Kavan Cotter.
Referee- Mr C Fisk, assisted by Mr H Organ and Mr R Jennings.
Attendance 256
REPORT BY PIPEMAN