Report
It is always a pleasure to visit Histon at Bridge Rod, since it is such a well-appointed stadium and the hospitality is notable. The club is now playing at Step Five after a prolonged period of success at higher levels, to which, of course, they hope to return.
This was the first away preseason game and we welcomed back Jhai Dhillon, who had to take a sabbatical to look after his business when he was last with us. The new purple away kit had its first airing and Histon were in their usual red shirts with black shorts.
We had a lively start with some good Hitchin possession, and Dhillon had an early surprise when he was presented with a goal chance at the near post, but goalkeeper Sam Roache was sufficiently alert. Some good quality stuff was played by Hitchin with some deft flicks and the defence looked harmonious.
Then, with just seven minutes on the clock, Steve Gleeson was replaced by Jack Dreyer. Hitchin were then presented with a free kick centrally just outside the eighteen yard box. George Morrall took the kick, but it struck the defensive wall and was cleared. Another free kick, further out was easily dealt with.
Dhillon’s clever low cross brought a chance, but this was defended well. Danny Gould had a chance for Histon but he put his effort well over the crossbar. Some wild clearances from the hosts seemed to encourage Hitchin to renew their attacks but we were yet to see a meaningful goal effort. Goalkeeper Kyle Forster held a Histon high cross and his counterpart then foiled an effort at the other end. Roache then had to dive low to deny a cross that might have reached Albie Hall.
Then there was a super cross from the right from Toby Syme and Albie Hall got the faintest of touches to head Hitchin into a twenty-second minute lead. It is good to have a tall centre forward again. It was ample reward for the positive forward play hitherto.
Twenty-five minutes saw a drinks break as it was quite warm and the sun was shining. The resumption saw a Hitchin attack broken down and a free kick was held by Roache. A Histon corner after thirty- five minutes was of poor quality, and Hitchin were caught offside in their next foray. Morrall was instrumental in a chance but this was neatly foiled by Ellis Leka. But still Hitchin attacked, with Devine penalised as he cut in from the left.
Rio Deall produced a fine shot that drew a good save from Roache and we noticed among the spectators one Finley Wilkinson who, of course, played for both Histon and Hitchin. The visitors had a corner following good play from Franklin and Dhillon tried one, but the effort cleared the crossbar.
Angelo won a corner for the hosts, which was well-defended and turned into a thwarted counter attack. Franklin’s low shot lacked power and was easy for Roache. Dhillon tried a right- footed effort that was only just over the bar. We were entering stoppage time and Hitchin conceded a free kick wide on the right. This produced no threat on goal and as the weather dulled the interval was whistled in.
The second half opened with a chance for Morrall, that was foiled. Jack Dreyer then won a corner, robustly headed away and then Hall fired straight at the keeper. A good Histon effort was neatly defended and Hitchin then won a corner that was a bit over hit. Dhillon had given way to Triallist C. Good work from Joe Sutton and Danny Gould set up a fair chance for Histon but ultimate progress was denied. The hosts then made substitutions, but I was not provided with full details of the home team, so apologies for that.
Then, from a move in the left, Histon scored an equaliser, the scorer being Connor Barnes and the goal came at about fifty- six minutes. Further substitutions for the hosts followed. For Hitchin Shane Bush was replaced by Dan Sears. The sting had gone from Hitchin’s attacking play and this needed to be restored with better quality passing in the final third. This came in good time.
Sears’ up and under looked a good idea but Roache intercepted smartly. Hitchin put on Triallist A for Lewis Franklin, whose contribution had been noteworthy. There was about twenty minutes remaining. Syme sent a good pass along the left and the cross brought a corner and Dan Sears had a free header and restored Hitchin’s lead at about seventy-six minutes.
Then another Triallist came on, this time for Rio Deall. Hitchin had restored their confident forward play with Jack Dreyer very nearly increasing the lead further after a smart move from Hitchin. There was even a cheeky back heeled effort from George Devine. Distribution from the visitors continued to utilise all areas of the pitch.
With about seven minutes to go, there was a flurry of Hitchin attacks, dealt with solidly by the hosts. Devine should have been more accurate with his free shot, as should have Angelo for Histon when the ball fell fortuitously for him.
Sutton was fouled and a free kick from the left from Histon, taken by Leka was effortlessly defended. Another Hitchin attack saw the final ball hit too heavily, as was a defensive back pass , but these were mere hiccups in a generally sound and promising performance.
The game finished with a snap but unsuccessful attack from our hosts who could not force a draw and Hitchin thus won their first preseason game at the third attempt but with a performance that was earnest and pleasing.
HISTON (details of starting eleven only provided)
Sam Roache, Marcus Cole, Danny Gould, Ryan Towner, Ellis Leka, Charlie Black, Joe Sutton, Mattia Angelo, Connor Barnes, GOAL, 1-1,56 minutes, Finlay Edwards, Luke Crisp.
HITCHIN TOWN
Kyle Forster,(James Callan), Toby Syme, Jhai Dhillon, Stephen Gleeson,(Jack Dreyer), Shane Bush,( Dan Sears, GOAL, 1-2, 76 minutes), Dempsey Thomas, Lewis Franklin, (Triallist A), Rio Deall,(Triallist B), Albie Hall, GOAL, 0-1, 22 minutes, George Devine, George Morrall.
No details of officials supplied.
Attendance N/A
REPORT BY PIPEMAN