Report
Hitchin arrived at Langford Road in the knowledge that the Bedfordshire side is the only one so far to defeat them this current campaign. Of course, this is only the opening of the season, and we have yet to get into double figures in terms of games played. When we look back at that League encounter, we recall how strong Biggleswade were physically, and they did not deviate from a game plan that ultimately worked.
Cup football has it subtle differences and being paired in the FA Trophy we are reminded that there were no replays or even an extra time, should the score be level after ninety minutes. I say this because in the FA Cup, both ties played so far have needed replays. As to the Trophy, my own view is that the half hour of extra time should still be in place, as it does give a further opportunity for the game to be won in the conventional sense.
Team news for Hitchin was that Josh Jackman started, with Toby Syme on the bench; Mbunya Alemanji was back from injury and also on the bench. Hitchin’s first attempt at an attack saw a home defender put the ball out of the stadium. Goss and Hunter combined in a move for the Waders, but it was cleared without mishap.
Morrall then won a free kick on the right, hitch was somewhat wayward. Franklin moved into the area, lost his footing and the danger was eliminated. A Waders’ corner resulted in a free kick for the visitors. Nicolson was dispossessed after a promising run. Morrall was bundled over in the box and it was correctly adjudged to be a fair challenge. A home free kick was dealt with by Jones and Hunter’s shot found the net, that is to say the high ball- saving net behind the goal.
Bold challenges from the home defence spoilt the next effort that turned into a counter move from Biggleswade that ended with a poor shot, high and well over. Jackman jiggled with the ball and home defenders again showed a kind of a prowess in converting defence into attack. Then after sixteen minutes, the hosts snatched the lead with a goal from Damani Hunter.
They continued to attack after the goal, with Hitchin responding with a right flank movement, which brought a corner, and this looked good, but there was an infringement. Another free kick saw little progress. A poor goal kick from Green presented an opportunity for the Canaries, and they faced a three-man wall. Coldicott- Stevens was on target but Green saved routinely.
Tearle forced another corner which Jones headed, but not on target. A good passing move resulted in a shot, on target, from Nicolson, but Green was again both alert and safe. A long throw from the hosts saw Briggs felled and subsequently treated. Kufour was very lively in attack, as was Nicolson, whose emphatic shot was wide of the target.
Hitchin’s next effort saw a blocked shot from Tearle, but the move needed more spontaneity. It was nothing new to see those in all -green defying the desired breakthrough. There remained about ten minutes if this first period and a clean shot on goal was a necessity.
Biggleswade allowed possession, simply stepping in at the crucial moment. Then Jackman, with full intent, shaped for a shot from range and it produced a remarkable equaliser at forty- three minutes. It is often mooted that this is a critical time to score a goal, and Jackman’s strike was simply wonderful. A move from Tearle and Morrall almost sneaked in as Hitchin continued with better possession and some flowing football.
Tearle won a free kick and his challenger, Andrews, was cautioned. The free kick saw Briggs come close with a header. A late corner from Hitchin saw Briggs have another go and an own goal was narrowly avoided. After the clearance, the whistle went and for many, the match so far was like the story of the empty barn. There was nothing in it.
There were no substitutions as yet. Rhiney’s pass to Tearle looked indicative, but Thomas was in the way, then Morrall set up Kane, whose bobbly shot was held by Green. Kane fouled Goss, conceding a flank free kick, taken by Thomas and Bonfield punched the ball away from danger.
Nicolson was fouled by Hunter which turned into a bit of an incident, but no punishment ensued, or so it looked, but apparently, Hunter was cautioned.
A lively Biggleswade attack ended poorly and the referee was lively with various reprimands. The next Hitchin attack brought dividends and following Green’s superb save from a Nicolson shot, the ball was parried to Callum Kane who scored a fine goal but in addition performed a double back somersault as cerebration, which would score well for artistic interpretation.
We had just passed the hour mark. So, Hitchin had come from behind and it was eagerly hoped that this match would not be concluded with a penalty competition. Franklin needed some treatment and a considerable delay, and Hitchin had half an hour to add to their lead. It was expected that the home side would push for the equaliser and indeed Hunter found himself well placed to achieve this, but he fired over the bar.
Coldicott-Stevens did the same, from range and the hosts were keen to get on with things. They attacked with verve but were guilty of indifferent finishing, and in the next move they strayed offside. Both teams had made a substitution. Simpson replaced Niall Jones for the hosts and McDonald came in for Morrall.
Tearle’s cunning won a corner, an out swinger, easily headed away, but in the next attack there were perceived weaknesses in the Waders’ defence and Kane rather wasted a free shot. Biggleswade sent on more substitutions, with scorer Hunter making his way to the bench, knowing he did not disappoint in in this match. He was replaced by Clarke and Sutton by Mirtahmasebi. Hitchin were still in the ascendancy and JCS sent in a pass for Rhiney who could not connect.
Thomas sent in a dangerous long throw and Bonfield was glad to gather. The next Hitchin attack was spoiled by an over hit. Franklin’s effort from range saw a similar fate. There were little over five minutes to go, and Gleeson, who did not want to disappoint, received a caution for kicking the ball away from the subs bench where he was sitting. I think the phrase is is ‘intentionally delaying a restart.’ I do not know why players do this as referees always tell me that they add on that time.
Rhiney’s tap in from a Tearle cross sealed the result for Hitchin who had said before the game that they owed the Waders one, for that grim league defeat. It was rather pleasant to see the team go into the hat for the next round, as last season, we we took our exit in both FA Cup and Trophy in the initial matches. Needless to say, the prize money is also welcome.
Tearle was unlucky not to bag his third goal of the season as Green parried well. In these last minutes Hitchin were mercilessly dominant and thoroughly deserved the victory in front of a goodly number of travelling supporters.
Again, Hitchin became more ruthless in the second half and scoring three goals in one match was also welcome. Cup football continues next Saturday when, at Top Field we host St Albans City in the FA Cup. The scheduled game against Leighton Town will be rearranged.
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
Green, Basra Mirtahmasebi, N Jones, (Simpson), Newton, Thomas, Powell, Kufour, Goss, captain, Sutton, ( Basim Mirtahmasebi), Hunter, GOAL, 16 minutes, 1-0, cautioned, Andrews, cautioned. (Clarke), Substitutes not used – Anderson, Dunn.
HITCHIN TOWN
Bonfield, Franklin, Kane, this reporter’s MOTM, GOAL, 1-2, 61 minutes, Jackman, GOAL, 43 minutes, 1-1, Briggs, C Jones, Morrall, (McDonald), Coldicott- Stevens, Rhiney, GOAL, 1-3, 90 minutes, Tearle, Nicolson. Substitutes unused – Syme, Gleeson, cautioned, Heaps, Alemanji.
REFEREE: Mr T Whay, assisted by Mr C Dorling and Mr A Birnea.
ATTENDANCE: 303
REPORT BY PIPEMAN