Report
It is always a pleasant journey to rural Suffolk, and today was an auspicious day for the county as Ipswich were involved in a derby with Norwich, Some Hitchin supporters had to cover their Canary shirts as their pre-match pub visit was full of Ipswich supporters. Those of us going directly to the ground, were obliged to walk along Victory Road, as local residents have campaigned successfully against the intrusion of coaches. When we arrived the whole of the home team was watching the match on television.
The last time we met was at Top Field in December and Leiston secured a 4-1 win with two goals of identical make up were scored in stoppage time. Leiston have secured their status for another season, but Hitchin were still not safe and thus the match was still of vital importance in the relegation joust with AFC Sudbury.
The pitch at Victory Road looked just a little ragged after a hard season and the attendance was sparse. The first attack of note was from the hosts, but the shot was a weak one. Ross Crane was denied a clear shot and Galliford lost possession in trying to create an attack. Vincent was being closely monitored. Georgiou cleared the decks in a dangerous attack as the hosts were pressing for an opening goal.
Gleeson was exhibiting anger over a foul on Galliford, but no it seemed to end amicably. As the politician said Jaw jaw is better than war war. Galliford was replaced after sixteen minutes by new signing Matthew Campbell-Mhlope. Dunbar’s too powerful cross mattered little as there was an offside flag. Gleeson conceded a corner which resulted in a goal, scored by Adam Bailey-Dennis, who poked the ball home amid the congestion.
Dunbar tried a shot that nestled singly on the small stand behind the goal and we still waited for a Hitchin move that might create a chance of a goal.
We had news that Sudbury were a goal to the good against Coalville. A Hitchin attack saw Gleeson try to create and Campbell-Mhlope fell over in the area. Hitchin then had a free kick that begged for a good ball into the area, this was headed away by Bailey-Dennis, easily the tallest player on the pitch. There were two more incursions into the Leiston penalty area, but they were inconclusive since no-one could provide a definite finish. Then Gleeson was booked, which was unsurprising in these circumstances.
Leiston were the more inventive, and I am pleased to say that they brought the best out of the Hitchin defence. Quantrell was up for little raids, but there was a lack of support and Dunbar put paid to Campbell- Mhlope’s half chance on the right flank. The hosts were adept at keeping possession, which frustrated Hitchin who struggled to put a meaningful move together and looked unlikely to snatch an equaliser before half times that was only minutes away.
Wilkinson tried a shot on the run but dragged it wide. A free kick for Leiston saw the move nullified but indeed they had been the better side. At half time there was plenty of points to be delivered by Brett Donnelly. We needed a goal and needed to press with more determination. There was a move with a cunning back heel from Vincent that was thwarted. Boatswain was reprimanded for ‘leaning ’on Gleeson and play was undeniably scrappy.
Barker’s shirt was almost removed by his marker and the strange decision was a free kick for the hosts. Crane was booked for what I do not know, and Georgiou missed a sitter right in front of goal from a well-worked move. Some subtle time wasting was employed, and the hosts were adept at
breaking down moves. Bailey-Dennis was cautioned for blatant time wasting and the referee was working hard to keep control.
Meanwhile Horlock saved at close range from Loza and a corner was delayed as players pushed and shoved. Hitchin conceded far too many free kicks and there was still no lasting rhythm to their play. It seemed odd that Leiston were seemingly content with the single goal lead. Bell came on for Anker and his first bit of action was a good cross from the right, but Wilkinson was unable to reach it before Donkin.
A good move from Hitchin saw a defender forced to concede the first corner of the game for the visitors. This was initially defended but Wilkinson had a free shot that he wastefully ballooned. At least Hitchin looked as if they were really searching for the equaliser. Donkin the goalkeeper was added to the cautions for time wasting, and a Gleeson free kick saw a scramble in the penalty area and then a corner that was too deep. Another Gleeson free kick saw a blatant handball by Leiston and the then was a caution for Barker, and what for eludes me.
Play was held up for an injury to Quantrell and a free kick was defended by Hitchin who were pegged back in their own half until a breakaway brought a corner and some hope. It was of negligible worth, unfortunately. The next foray was halted by the offside flag. Campbell-Mhlope’s shot was deflected for a corner which resulted in Wilkinson shooting well over the bar. Then the referee halted play to address the issue of off the ball aggression. There were about ten minutes remaining and Barker headed wide from a corner to underline Hitchin’s frustration.
Horlock pumped the ball up field, but it resulted in a Leiston counterattack. Loza had just been booked for kicking the ball away, but he showed fine skill in scoring the second goal, which was a real killer for Hitchin. This goal, against the run of play Came after eighty-six minutes, and we heard that Sudbury were still winning.
This somewhat messy game proved to be something of a nightmare for the referee, who was earnest in his decisions but challenged with game management, which was not easy with this one. The attitude of some players did not help.
Crane had two pops at goal and Cotter fired wide. Five minutes were added but they were inconsequential, except for a shot from Wilkinson, comfortably held by Donkin. Thus, Leiston became another side to achieve a league double over beleaguered Hitchin Town.
Sudbury overcame Coalville and reduced the points difference between us to four, with three games to go. Can you see my eye twitchin’ ? It is going to be close and to be honest we deserved nothing from this messy game, and it was, as Chris Newbold pointed out, a good day out spoilt by ninety odd minutes of football.
We congratulate Needham Market who became champions today and it is indeed well deserved. It is pleasurable to be at the top and frustrating to be in a dog fight for survival at the bottom. It could go right until the last day before it is revealed who takes the drop. Who would have thought this just a few months ago?
LEISTON
Sam Donkin, cautioned, Rossi Jarvis, (Ben Batho), Sebastian Dunbar, captain, cautioned, Ryan Jarvis, Adam Bailey- Dennis, GOAL, 1-0, 19 minutes, cautioned, Eddie Jackson, Ross Crane, cautioned, Albie Armin, Ashley Boatswain, George Quantrell, Jamar Loza, GOAL, 86 minutes, 2-0, cautioned. Substitutes not used, Oliver Saunders, Zachary Dronfield, Charlie Atkin, Marcus Mehew, GK.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, Stan Georgiou, Alex Kpapke, Kavan Cotter, Lewis Barker, cautioned, Ciaren Jones, captain, Isaac Galliford, (Matthew Campbell-Mhlope), Stephen Gleeson, cautioned, (Toby Syme), Connor Vincent, Joel Anker, (Bradley Bell), Finley Wilkinson. Substitutes not used – Kye Tearle, Layne Eadie.
Referee- Mr Fabio Roque, assisted by Mr Paul Quick and Mr Jak Clark
Attendance 182
Report by Pipeman.