Report
Brett Donnelly, former Hitchin player and erstwhile manager of Stotfold made a leap into the dark to take on the managerial post at Hitchin. It is a brave decision, as he himself has pointed out, coming from one club striving to reach Step 3 to one in danger of losing that status.
But it is a bold move, and the objective is plain – to stop the virtually unprecedented run of twelve defeats and snatch a win or maybe two before the end of a season that saw the Canaries flirting with the play-off positions and then descending into the mire with more or less the same personnel.
Telford come to Top Field in third place and clearly looking for promotion. I recall our bruising encounter at Telford where we played well and came away with a deserved point. So, once again, the match today was ostensibly loaded with significance as it could well have some bearing on promotion and relegation.
The new Hitchin manager had included two new names in his starting eleven namely Joel Anker and Connor Vincent. The weather was set fair, and the game began in earnest. The first shot was from Jordan Piggott, followed by a half chance for Hitchin. The atmosphere was somnolent despite the good attendance.
For some reason long balls were tried and one of these briefly caused some concern as Telford tried to get beyond the Hitchin defence. Ten minutes had brought no thrills as yet. Joel Anker was fouled, and the free kick came from Wilkinson, whose strike proved most profitable inasmuch as it left Brandon Hall to pick the ball out of the net. So, we have the unexpected luxury of seeing Hitchin take an early lead. This goal was timed at twelve minutes, and I suspect that the person who enjoyed it most was Brett Donnelly.
Telford’s hitherto lethargic play was punctuated by a free kick or two, one right in the D. this was taken by Kyle Storer, was parried by Horlock, but was tapped in by Orrin Pendley. The Hitchin lead had lasted but ten minutes. The equaliser seemed to be seized with an air of inevitability, with a suggestion that there was more to come. Both goals came from set pieces which was suggestive- the game could hinge on one such decision.
A corner for Telford afforded some opportunity with Byron Moore sniffing out the possibilities. Another free kick was conceded, again right in the D but this was beaten away, but the visitors were beginning to impose themselves with some slick play.
Tearle won a corner attempting a cross. It was headed away and still we waited for an attack on the Telford goal from open play. Snelus won a free kick on the right, which called for some accuracy and won a corner, delayed whilst he fastened his bootlaces. The corner was an anticlimax.
We approached half time with a feeling of being underwhelmed by this match that seemed to be contested at a pedestrian pace. Someone was cautioned, and a late free kick was awarded to Hitchin which went over the bar, courtesy of Wilkinson.
After the interval, we again saw Hitchin concede a free kick in an inviting area. Horlock tidied up but the visitors seemed quietly concerned about getting forward. One reasonable attempt was thwarted. Cotter then replaced Georgiou. It pains me to say it but some of the play was of decidedly poor quality, the game called out for a moment or two of real inspiration.
A long clearance by Hall in goal, resulted in a corner for Telford, but this, like other attempts was found wanting. A Hitchin corner fared no better, being woefully over hit. Other errors crept in unannounced, aimless long balls, poor passing but a lot of free kicks for Telford, many of which were avoidable. Telford made a couple of substitutions and at least they ran on to the pitch with some enthusiasm.
Myles-Tebbutt had to head behind to concede a corner, which was a poor one. Cotter conceded one at the other end and again the quality was lacking. One Hitchin attack looked promising but a long, aimless clearance put paid to that and a Telford player then launched the ball deliberately out of the ground for reasons best known to himself.
We were by now entering the very late stages with only a few minutes to go of normal time. Stoppages had been frustratingly frequent and there would be time added to compensate. Yes, six minutes were tagged on, but not offering much or either side. There was yet another free kick for Telford, wide on the left and it was defended untidily.
Kpapke had the solo run of the match, and it looked like e might have gone all the way, capitalising on an error, but, like this match, he ran out of steam early. There was a bit of handbags at the end, as if the players felt they owed us something, but even that had a half-hearted feel to it.
The match stuttered to an end with the points shared. Some home supporters expressed relief but conceded that the game had been a poor one. Sudbury, who could conceivably match our points total were denied a victory in the last minute at Stourbridge, so the situation remains the same. Hitchin face league leaders Needham Market on Good Friday and it was noticed that the Suffolk side were beaten 3-0 at Bromsgrove. Even so, they are still our ‘bogey’ team.
Say not the struggle naught availeth, as the poem says, and a few more points should see us through. The new signings of Vincent and Anker worked well and did make a difference. It was at least something to stop the sequence of defeats.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Kye Tearle, Alex Kpapke, Stan Georgiou, (Kavan Cotter), Toby Syme, cautioned, Ciaren Jones, Sponsors’ man of the match, cautioned, Jack Snelus, cautioned, Stephen Gleeson, Connor Vincent, Joel Anker, Finley Wilkinson, GOAL, 11 minutes, 1-0.
Substitutes not used – Dan Emovon, Layne Eadie, Isaac Galliford, Bradley Bell.
AFC TELFORD UNITED
Brandon Hall, Ellis Myles- Tebbutt, Jared Hodgkiss , Kyle Storer, (Reece Styche), Orrin Pendley, GOAL, 22 minutes, 1-1, Fraser Kerr, captain, Remi Walker, Jordan Piggott, Byron Moore, Montel Gibson, (Matthew Stenson), Ellis Brown, cautioned. Substitutes not used – Ty Webster and Steffan Jones.
Referee- Mr C Poole, assisted by Mr P Yates and Mr A Wheaton.
Attendance 757
REPORT BY PIPEMAN