Report
So, here we go again. The pre-season fixtures, the pristine pitch. And tonight, it was Barnet, lately restored to the Football League and tonight playing in an attractive kit of purple and white.
After five minutes you wonder if we had a break from football. I felt this just as a bit of classy stuff from the visitors was unceremoniously thwarted. How I love the clearing boot and care little for finesse. Barnet soon dominated play and opened the scoring with a simple goal after just seven minutes and scored effortlessly by Rhys Browne. The build-up was sublime.
Liam Brooks attempted a shot, but it struck an opponent’s boot and was misdirected. Bees’ goalkeeper neatly dummied Taylor Rhiney which put paid to that chance Zak Brunt’s shot for Barnet was held by Tyrese Kamara. Browne had another low shot saved.
Gleeson’s clever ball to Brooks set up an attack culminating in a low, unsuccessful shot from Will McNeill. It was really good to see Josh Coldicott-Stevens back in a Canary shirt and becoming involved. Barnet were coolly containing any Hitchin attempts to break into their half.
Then there came an undisputed penalty despatched with ease by Rhys Browne, now on a hat-trick, should he feel so inclined. The penalty goal came after twenty minutes. Following some really quite fancy possession football the League Club increased the lead with a goal finished smartly by Adam Senior, on the half hour. We were still some time from half-time. In relative terms our visitors were playing some exhibition stuff.
We had yet to see a real close attempt for Hitchin and it was ironic that Lewis Franklin’s touch sent the earlier effort astray. It would have been a shot on target at least. A glancing header, off target for Barnet almost completed the meaningful action of this half but Idris Kanu had the best run of the period and ought to have scored for the Bees. There were ample rushed moments in the Hitchin defence to be taken advantage of, and the Canaries did well to hold off the best efforts.
Possession figures would be Barnet a good deal and Hitchin, a lot less.
The second half began with a Hitchin shot that was on target but unsuccessful. The team changes were numerous, of course. Hitchin won a free kick from the only dubious challenge so far and it resulted in a fine save from Owen Evans. The corner was robustly cleared. This half was proving a lot more even, which was good.
Barnet’s next attack brought a corner where the header bounced and actually hit the bar before being hustled away. Some of the artistry proved by Barnet was a little lacking this period. However, Josh Bowler made a decent save low at the near post. Josh Jackman’s cross went for a corner that needed defending. The half wore on and still there was no compensatory goal for the hosts. They defended a free kick that was in a scoring area, but this virtually replaced Barnet team were not as commanding.
Jake Bowler made an outstanding save from Rohat Matyar late in the half. But there were no more goals for us to enjoy, and it must be said that Hitchin’s performance in the second half was very encouraging.
There was a good attendance tonight and we thank everyone of a Barnet persuasion for coming along to Top Field.
HITCHIN TOWN
Tyrese Kamara, Lewis Franklin, captain, first half, Kye Tearle, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Charlie Briggs, Blue Joy, Will McNeill, Stephen Gleeson, Taylor Rainey, Liam Brooks, Charlie McDonald.
Josh Jackman, captain, second half, Josh Bowler, GK, Triallist A, Lewis Barker, Triallist B, Callum Kane, Triallist C, Plamedi Bomolo, Triallist D, Kieron Forbes, Triallist E.
BARNET
Owen Evans, Danny Collinge, Nik Tavares, Adam Senior, GOAL, 3-0 30, Anthony Hartigan, Scott High, Zak Brunt, Ryan Glover, Idris Kanu, Rhys Browne, TWO GOALS, 1-0, 7, 2-0, 20, Ryan Galvin.
Triallist, Joe Rye, Ollie Kensdale, Romoney Critchlow, Mark Shelton, Rohat Matyar, Emmanuel Osadebe, Pat Matesko, Bright Siaw, Oliver Hawkins, Triallist.
Referee – Mr R Wharton, assisted by Mr T Cartwright and Mr N Angus. Fourth official, Mr C Mackay.
Attendance – 590
Report by Pipeman, Images via Pete Else.