Report
After the narrow win at home over St Ives Town, thrilling for supporters but frustrating for the Saints, it was now the time for the second visit to the Don Amott Arena. Being aware of our Derbyshire hosts proud record and regnant position at the top of the league with four wins from as many games, the task was rightly considered a daunting one.
The memory of last season was pleasant for Hitchin supporters, with two notable victories, 4-1 at Top Field and 2-1 away. This would be different and difficult. Hitchin team news was moderate with Lewis Barker unavailable and a new signing on the bench, one Daniel Emovon.
The sun shone after rain and on the artificial pitch, which looked superb, play commenced, with Hitchin in all purple and the hosts in red and black. There was an immediate chance for Stuart Beavon whose finish was emphatic but inaccurate.
Hitchin won a corner, which was intricate but ineffective and resulted in a spirited solo run by Oliver Greaves, who was so fleet of foot he had no-one to pass to. Andy Dales had a blocked shot and Hitchin were holding fast, even if it meant some long ball clearances.
The first strike for Hitchin fell to Idiakhoa who struck well but wide. He had done well amidst the crowded defence. After ten minutes it was evident that both teams had ideas, but they were yet to be translated into significant assaults on goal. But there was good battling for the ball and then came a free kick for Mickleover in a promising position. This was the first set piece, and a fair shot by skipper Ryan Wilson, but routine for Horlock.
A threatening move for the hosts was well defended but forward balls to Wilkinson were difficult for him. Another free kick for the hosts, in an almost identical position gave Wilson another chance; it was hit well and touched out for a corner by Horlock. We waited for Hitchin to have a similar chance. They had yet to trouble Oliver Bosworth in the Mickleover goal.
A home corner came next, which was dealt with, but it would have been more comfortable had Hitchin a greater share of possession. Another corner was conceded, if a little cheaply and matters were halted for a Hitchin free kick. We had played just over half an hour and with Horlock needing some treatment there was unofficial drinks break and no doubt some exhortation concerning tactics. Pleasingly, Wilkinson was able to get in a shot, albeit blocked, but it showed what he could do when he had a ball to feet situation. A good passing move from Mickleover was thwarted. Then, after thirty-eight minutes, almost out of nowhere, Andy Dales put the hosts ahead and I suspected that thus would open the game up to some degree. It was a simple strike but entirely accurate.
Dales then had a shot on the run, which Horlock saved at the expense of a corner. We were approaching half-time, and the initiative was firmly with the hosts. Then, a long ball up field picked out Marcus Barnes. Horlock challenged him unsuccessfully and Barnes placed the ball into the bottom left corner, and Hitchin were in disarray, with their task now of gargantuan proportions. The goal was timed at forty-two minutes.
Ben Sault got away on the left and fired well, necessitating a careful save from Horlock. We were in the additional time, but Hitchin added little to their chances and went to the interval as a pronounced second best. We could have no complaints and it seemed highly likely that Mickleover would retain their one hundred per cent. They had been unspectacular but organised and efficient.
At the start of the second half there was a flicker of a revival suggested by Hitchin, but two attacks were dismissed for offside. An intended attack went backwards because of what is now called the press. Diogo Gouveia at last had a chance for a direct shot, which he took well but Bosworth was equal to it. A good passing move brought Mickleover a corner, taken by Dales, who was then cautioned for his resistant delay. Wilson eventually took it, and the effort was cleared. It seemed odd to me to waste time when you are two goals up and more or less in control.
With Wilkinson’s shot hitting the treetops we were conscious of another chance being wasted. The hosts liked to play some close passing in which they often undid themselves. A rare smart move from Hitchin saw Wilkinson head the ball way off target. Galliford’s hopeful cross was kept in by Bell who could not make anything of the chance, being under pressure. It was an improvement from Hitchin. Eadie and Gleeson had a crack on goal and in some moments of real pressure Hitchin finally squeezed the defence and Idiakhoa made it 2-1. The goal came with sixty-six minutes gone, so, being in the fell clutch of circumstance, could Hitchin become masters of their fate? There was time.
But in a move of great clarity, the hosts produced a golden chance that we wondered how they let it slip and then Ciaren Jones was cautioned for the euphemistically known professional foul. The free kick was of negligible worth, and play was then halted for an injury to Wilson. Galliford and Gouveia combined but the latter’s shot was embarrassingly high.
Ben Sault wondered like the rest of us how he did not score following an exciting run and the answer was a fingertip save from Horlock who may well have been our best player. Having said that there was a purple patch for Hitchin where they threatened, but really just shook the fist rather than landing the punch. It must have been in their minds that if they scored, they could well earn a cheeky point. Some months of expectancy ended in disappointment.
By this time the hosts had utilised all three substitutes and Hitchin chose to retain their starting eleven. A Hitchin free kick, wide on the right and at some distance from goal saw Jones stretch for a header that was not on target.
Then with four additional minutes announced, Gleeson was replaced by Chris Khoo. I was surprised that Emovon was not used. Tearle’s gave way to Georgiou for the parting shots.
Andre Wright blocked the proper taking of a free kick and was cautioned. Horlock needed to send the ball as far forward as he could, and then another free kick for Hitchin fell to Gouveia and it was better than expected but still bounced off the terrace roofing. It turned out to be the last real chance and Mickleover continue their splendid run of wins. Soothing myself I mentioned jokingly that Hitchin had won the second half and of course you do not get any points for that. But it must be said that a Hitchin had played better in this second period.
Ironically, in our ‘in-house’ prediction league I managed to get the score right for the first time, and I note that it was Mickleover’s first ever win over Hitchin, who fell short in their search for an equaliser, but at least they fought hard for it. Had they as many set pieces as their opponents it is possible that the much-needed goal could have been a reality.
Bank holiday Monday sees the visit of Royston Town who had a prestigious result in defeating Coalville at Garden Walk. I predict a hard game and hope we have a large attendance.
MICKLEOVER
Oliver Bosworth, Jake Bennett, Ryan Wilson, captain, Will Atkinson, Finn Delap, cautioned, Ethan Mann, Andy Dales, GOAL, 38 minutes, Ben Sault, (Andre Wright, cautioned), Stuart Beavon, Marcus Barnes, GOAL 42 minutes ,(George Nunn), Oliver Greaves, (Dan Bradley).
Substitutes not used- Jim Pollard, GK, Brandon Ferron.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, cautioned, Kye Tearle, (Stan Georgiou), Diogo Freitas Gouveia, Stephen Gleeson, (Chris Khoo), Isaac Galliford, Dan Idiakhoa, GOAL, 66 minutes, Finley Wilkinson.
Substitutes not used- Dan Emovon, Kavan Cotter and Jack Snelus.
Referee- Mr A Tankard, assisted by Mr D Ghent and Ms G Lowe.
Attendance 334
REPORT BY PIPEMAN