Aylesbury United 0 Hitchin Town 2

Aylesbury United

Hitchin Town

0 - 2

Final Score

Report

This was another thoroughly professional performance from Hitchin. Without hitting the heights of the display at Milton Keynes Irish, Hitchin were always in control and limited Aylesbury to very few chances while creating plenty of their own. Again manager Michael Jones was happy with the performance and he told me that this game showed the strength and depth of the squad as we had to overcome the loss of a number of key players. Stephen Gleeson and Josh Jackman were again missing through injury and were joined by Ciaren Jones who was absent through sickness and Josh Coldicott-Stevens who was missing through work commitments. Toby Syme replaced Jones and Fernando Bell-Toxtle replaced Coldicott-Stevens. Another change saw Liam Brooks come in for Diago Freitas-Gouveia who dropped to the bench. Despite these changes Hitchin still looked fluent and committed.

The game passed a 4.30pm inspection and after the abandonment of the first game the pitch played really well. Jack Wood shot over the bar early on for Aylesbury but it was Hitchin who soon took control. Callum Kane was a constant threat down the left hand side throughout and he produced a dangerous cross that nobody could get on the end of after 7 minutes. Callum Nicolson shot just wide before another Kane cross caused danger. The goal was coming and who else but Taylor Rhiney put Hitchin ahead after 22 minutes. It was a real poacher’s goal and followed good work by Lewis Franklin.

Tyler McGregor made an excellent save from Fabian Garcia getting down low to his right. Rhiney had a header saved before doubling the lead in the 35th minute. Good play from Nicolson and Franklin led to another close range finish. It means Rhiney has now scored 14 goals in his last 10 appearances. He came close to his hat-trick when forcing a good save from Jack Hopwood just before half-time.

The second half saw Hitchin remain in control although it has to be said Aylesbury were much improved from the abandoned game. Franklin had two shots blocked after 47 minutes, Brooks hit his shot wide from a good position 4 minutes later before Franklin again came close. Rhiney’s header produced a good save as it was tipped over the bar but there were to be no more goals. Three of the substitutes got a run out and Freitas-Gouveia nearly scored with his first touch.

So this was a very creditable win despite the absence of key players and consistency has been a feature of the unbeaten run which has now reached 20 games. Finally it is pleasing to report that referee Craig Charles did not produce a card during the game – a rare event! Next up is Marlow on Saturday when another good attendance can be expected.