Report
The Ravens can hardly be called draw experts, and their league record shows five wins and five defeats in their ten games. Impregnable at home against Hitchin, winning every meeting, but at Top Field they have not fared so well and we know well that nothing could be taken for granted, and the game that followed was notable for the second half turnaround and change in fortune.
What happened was remarkable, since, after indifferent play the Canaries again lost their way in a first half that Coalville dominated – and as happens, the second half saw a transformation and three goals that secured the points in a vivacious spell that shook the visitors who had looked comfortable and secure. So, the team spirit prevailed in a most exciting manner that befitted the admirable turnaround, fully acknowledged by the Fishponds Road end. The substitutes employed made a difference as did the change of shape, once the team had conceded a deficit of two goals. The confident play of the second half laid the ghost of the timorous display of the first period and in a remarkably consistent manner.
An early corner for the visitors was beaten away and this afforded a chance for Snelus whose shot was saved by White and the resulting corner saw that effort go wide. This early flurry for Hitchin looked promising. Mc Glinchy boldly ran in possession and. He was able to get in a shot that just cleared the bar.
Not averse to the long ball in these early minutes, Hitchin needed to defend the more intricate approach from the Ravens. Dean’s slick diagonal pass almost got through and a Hitchin free kick came from Cotter, but White gathered safely. A short corner for Coalville resulted in a blocked shot and some following artistry that was safely undone by the Hitchin defence, but a free shot for the wily Pennant saw him pick his spot with some ease after twenty- seven minutes. Luke Shaw had a chance following this strike and good passing play marked the next few minutes of attacking play, just when Hitchin needed to get forward. The Ravens had good recompense for their probing attacking play.
Long balls from the back was perhaps not the best way for Hitchin and we were grateful for Horlock’s notable save from McGlinchy’s shot from close range. Then, out of the blue, with a bit of hesitation from the home defence, Jack Snelus bagged the equaliser, and we were in the thirty- sixth minute. This steadied the ship somewhat, suggesting some vulnerability about the Ravens’ defence.
Then a run and a cross from Alex Dean saw him provide a perfect pass for Glinchy to place his free header beyond Horlock, who, ironically had provided this chance with a poor attempted clearance. So, the Ravens restored their lead with half time minutes away. Then a third goal came with such consummate ease, scored by an unmarked Shaw and this kind of penetration gave much concern, since it appeared to put the visitors firmly in control.
A strident response was needed from Hitchin, but this was denied them as the Ravens showed no inclination to ease their efforts. After half time Syme was replaced by new boy Arnold Matshazi who was immediately involved and looked keen. A wasted free kick ended one home possibility and Bell’s probing cross was smartly defended. Good work from Cotter saw Hitchin reduce the arrears with a goal from Finley Wilkinson, This time it was the visitors whose defence looked statuesque but the hosts were at least showing determination. The goal was timed at fifty-six minutes, with Wilkinson finding space and time to finish smartly.
Emovon replaced Eadie for Hitchin just as McGlinchy saw his shot saved. Matshazi fired across the goal, with no-one able to tap in an equaliser. Then, with a free kick in the left invited a positive response but yielded just a corner for Hitchin whose attack was ended by a Matshazi foul. Keeping this initiative was vital but needed more accuracy with the passing.
Then in an astonishing moment of skill, Wilkinson ran in possession, and when it looked like he would pass he elected to take a shot and good for him, it found the bottom corner and Hitchin were now deservedly level in this curious match. The goal came with twelve minutes of normal time to go. For the first time, Hitchin looked like winning – and in style.
They kept the impetus, despite a snap shot from the roving McGlinchy. There was a free kick in a dangerous area for Coalville who forced a corner that was defended and Idiakhoa’s cross begged for a connection that could have increased the tally. However, the attacking verve shown was eclipsed.
Then, in suitably dramatic style the lead was achieved for the first time, and once again it was Finley Wilkinson who completed his hat trick with only a few minutes to go. By any standard this was a remarkable turnaround from being 3-1 down at half time. This was just one example of some free-flowing, attacking football, and for Finley Wilkinson, a splendid hat- trick and the last one being the winner, and the accolade of man of the match was a simple choice.
The expected late rally from Coalville saw them gain a free kick which Thanoj obligingly put over the bar. Hitchin pressed again, sensing the chance of forcing home another attack. Another goal at this stage would not have been a surprise from the team that turned a team from disarray to ultimate triumph. The win was thus richly deserved and made this possibly the most exciting match of the season so far, given the onerous task that faced them at the start of the second half.
It places Hitchin at sixth in the table and, whilst this was a narrow win, it seems the margin was greater and we commend the manner in which it was achieved.
Next week sees Hitchin travel to Bromsgrove Sporting for an away match that ends the run of successive home fixtures, which is some relief to the ground staff, one of whom had the unexpected reward of winning the 50/50.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Layne Eadie, (Daniel Emovon), Toby Syme, cautioned, Ciaren Jones, cautioned, Stan Georgiou, Kye Tearle, cautioned, Kavan Cotter, Dan Idiakhoa, Jack Snelus, GOAL, 37 MINUTES, (1-1), Finley Wilkinson, THREE GOALS, 56, (3-2), 78 minutes, (3-3) 87 minutes, 4-3).Man of the Match. Substitutes not used – Isaac Galliford, Temi Akinbsoye, Steve Gleeson.
COALVILLE TOWN
Paul White, cautioned, Alex Dean, Eliot Putman, cautioned, Jake Hutchings, Ashley Carter, Luke Shaw, GOAL, 45 minutes, (3-1), (Morgan Owen), Joe Doyle-Charles, captain, Tim Berridge, Thomas McGlinchy, GOAL, 41 minutes, (2-1), Terrell Pennant, GOAL, 27 minutes, (1-0),Andi Thanoj.
Other substitutes- Chris Robertson, Herve Pepe-Ngoma, Stephen Towers, Ashley Chambers.
Referee- Mr C Poole, assisted by Mr I Pascu and Mr D Lander
Attendance 513
REPORT BY PIPEMAN