Report
In facing this latest game against our guests from Suffolk, we cannot avoid the memory of that last gasp defeat in Worcestershire against Bromsgrove Sporting. Conceding a ninety- seventh minute goal, when, having grasped a deserved equaliser and looking to snatch all three points was the unkindest cut of all. But we have seen the reverse situation and have celebrated our good fortune, which of course we feel is out of proportion over the course of the season.
Manager Mark Burke was correct in assessing our recent meeting in the FA Cup as the favourable 3-0 result was much closer than this score suggested. Sudbury have plenty of incentive since their twelve league games have yielded a solitary victory and five draws. Needless to say, Hitchin wanted to make amends for the late aberration at Bromsgrove.
The visitors began with some positive moves forward necessitating some careful defending, but we are used to Hitchin slow starts but Bradley Bell had a blocked shot in a smart counter move. Both teams found the long forward pass gave possibilities of further development and I see nothing wrong in that.
One from Ciaren Jones was aptly defended in what had been an intriguing opening spell. Two successive corners for the visitors saw Horlock clear the second and then a free kick for Sudbury sought out the eager front-runners as did the cunning long throw tactic, always designed to cause mayhem.
Cotter’s run and pass begged for the connection it did not receive but a corner for the hosts saw Tearle win another and although it was defended the attacks continued but the visitors looked relatively comfortable. Some neat play gave Snelus a great chance, but a fortunate deflection denied him an opener.
A further chance saw Idiakhoa about to grasp the lead but again it was defended. This was a good spell for Hitchin with Idiakhoa winning a corner from his shot. This was beaten away until Bell’s intended cross won another, untidily defended.
Approaching the half hour mark the initiative in attack was firmly with the hosts with the next effort suggesting the visiting defence was leading a charmed life. Their goalie received a little reminder from the referee to be a little more proactive since he was definitely taking his time, just as our own does at ‘strategic’ moment. A fine move from Tearle saw Bradbrook save well with his feet but makes poor clearance that resulted in a corner nod a further chance that was the wrong side of the crossbar.
This sustained pressure towards the end of the half saw more chances from pleasingly creative play, but it had not paid any dividends so far. Bell won a corner following a Wilkinson chance, but Jones headed the ball too high. Caley- Brown needlessly gave away a corner but Bradbrook intervened well. Tearle had switched to the right and his cross was monitored by the busy Sudbury keeper. We were in time added on and there was a definite tinge of disappointment that Hitchin had not made the most of this dominance and then, there was a late free kick which was indeed a penalty, unhappily conceded by Joe Tarpey’s rash tackle. This was converted well by Finley Wilkinson, and it was a lead richly deserved on the balance of play.
The second half began with a Sudbury error that caused an immediate chance for Hitchin and some consternation that it was not fully exploited. But Hitchin continued where they had left off, with the consensus among those where I was watching that a second goal would be good for the nerves. A run from Idiakhoa brought a corner, which was again defended, and the visitors then made a couple of substitutions, with Tarpey and Turner replaced by Dunne and Cousens.
A Hitchin free kick saw an Idiakhoa glancing header go wide and then a fine piece of individual skill saw Snelus double the lead on the hour mark. It was a fine goal by any standards. Had we entered the comfort zone? Bell had a cross foiled and then Tearle’s fine pass needed expert interception from Bradbrook.
Gleeson was then replaced by Galliford whose tricky play could well add lustre to the forward play. His free kick brought a corner, which he elected to take bringing some more unsure defending. Snelus provided Wilkinson with a chance for a shot and then, in a counterattack Sudbury were awarded a penalty. Who was the offender, I asked, the referee, was the withering reply, but apparently it was Ciaren Jones and Joe Neal sent Horlock the wrong way and so went that illusory comfort zone as the score was now 2-1, and we had played seventy-four minutes.
Even though it was well against the run of play it created hope for Sudbury who had enjoyed but little possession and then Snelus was cautioned for not conceding enough pitch for a free kick. Then a foul gave the visitors a chance with a free kick in a good area. Horlock saved well.
Wilkinson’s shot saw a rebound to Idiakhoa whose effort was also blocked and Horlock saved with his trailing leg a fair effort. There were at least ten minutes to go and Neal’s header from a cross cleared the bar. Sudbury made their last substitution with Hunter replaced by Brown- Humpoe. Hitchin replaced Snelus with John Freeman for what was, I believe his debut appearance.
Wilkinson was frustratingly offside in the next assault and Galliford had his pockets picked in the penalty box. A cross saw Neal lack firmness in his shot and seven additional minutes were announced. Both teams played as if confident of adding to the score with typical late rallies. For Hitchin it was vital in psychological terms not to concede a last gasp goal, but rather to score one.
That did not happen as the whistle went and the three points were secure. Unlike the 3-0 cup win, this victory was more emphatic than the score suggested, and I was told that the Canaries are now in third place. Dizzy heights indeed. Sudbury remain entrenched in the relegation zone but played above that standard in both games against us.
We wish Lewis Barker and Layne Eadie a speedy recovery from their injuries and Tuesday sees the away game at Stratford Town. We were also very pleased at the above average attendance for today’s games which shows both the club’s appeal and the loyalty of their supporters.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, Bradley Bell, Kye Tearle, cautioned, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, cautioned, Stan Georgiou, Kavan Cotter, Stephen Gleeson, (Isaac Galliford), Dan Idiakhoa, cautioned, Jack Snelus, sponsors’ man of the match, GOAL, 60 MINUTES, 2-0, (John Freeman), Finley Wilkinson, PENALTY GOAL, 45+2 MINUTES, 1-0.
Substitutes not used- Arnold Matshazi, Temiloa Akinbusoye, Christopher Khoo.
AFC SUDBURY
James Bradbrook, opposition star man, Oliver Caley-Brown, Joe Tarpey, (Romario Dunne), Olumide Oluwatimilehin, Charlie Lewis, Thomas Dickens, Jake Turner, (Daniel Cousens), Ben Hunter, cautioned, (Philip Brown- Bampoe),
Joe Neal, PENALTY GOAL, 74 MINUTES, cautioned, Malachi Napha, Adam Mills, cautioned.
Substitutes not used- Reuben Swann, Jamie Eveleigh.
Referee – Mr R Wharton, assisted by Mr T Frost and Mr M Bright.
Attendance 544
Report by Pipeman.