Report
Since the two clubs share the same nickname perhaps I can call this game El Canarico. The other similarity was that both had won only one of their league games so far and an improvement to this may have been seen as an urgent necessity. What transpired was a really fine game of entertaining football that was always in the balance, providing a dramatic climax.
Barwell, playing in all-red began at a handsome pace, dominating proceedings with some fine passing football that tested the Hitchin defence. Alex Brown prevented one of these and Ryan Smith conceded a free kick that brought a probing, angled shot from Jahvan Davidson-Miller that was deflected for a corner. The goal attempt from this saw Alexander Marsh fortuitously able to clear from the line. This was not the only warning shot across the bows. Furlong conceded another corner, which was scrambled away, but this early siege continued.
Hitchin, it seemed, were not being given any time to settle when, after twelve minutes, Callum Stead gratefully received an unintended pass from an opponent and made the most of the opportunity. It was a deadly piece of opportunism and is firmly filed under Against The Run Of Play, but, of course, they all count. Barwell officials, standing near me, looked on, aghast. This goal came after twelve minutes.
With indignant haste the visitors set about eradicating this error, and with gentlemanly sportsmanship Hitchin themselves committed a defensive blunder and Stead’s counterpart Tristan Dunkley maximised his opportunity by snatching the equaliser and, of course they considered that it was no more than they deserved after their blitzkrieg of an opening.
But Hitchin, somewhat aggrieved at allowing an atonement began to claw their way into the game, with Marsh trying a shot on the turn that he could not fully control. Henry Snee, still in search of a confidence booster of a gaol sent his effort also over the cross bar, More attacks from Barwell followed, often from patient passing moves. Hitchin tried to match this, with a Snee run in possession halted and a move involving Marsh and Alex Brown saw a cross well defended. Then, with Stead using his pace to connect with a through ball and, about to turn and shoot he was brought down and a penalty was awarded to the hosts, which was slammed home by Alex Brown. The Hertfordshire Canaries had restored their lead after thirty-two minutes of pulsating play.
Barwell’s overall effectiveness had been largely contained but it had been very hard work against this organised and fluid Leicestershire side. A move involving Stead and Luke Brown saw Marsh shoot on target, but straight at keeper Max Bramley. A Ben Stephens cross for Barwell saw Horlock take a knock whilst intervening. Barwell continued to probe, with stylish and impressive football, but this was met with good defending, matching the praiseworthy performance at Bromsgrove Sporting. Errors were kept to a minimum now by both teams and Hitchin went to the interval having been made to work very hard for their advantage.
After the break, Barwell introduced substitute Lucas Powell for Joel Carta, and he made an immediate impact. The visitors forced two successive corners, both being cleared but back came Barwell with serious intent, spreading the play well . A good cross from Kyron Stabana needed a precise intervention from Ryan Smith. There was some good stuff from Hitchin , with a move from alex Brown crossing to Snee, cut out by Bramley and another cross saw Stead’s effort go just wide.
Barwell replaced Stephens with Hickey, and they had a free-kick in the attacking half but Oulton’s effort was wayward. A fine Barwell move involving Lucas Powell saw Elliott Percival fail to make the most of it. A defensive error saw Powell set up Davidson-Miller who wasted the chance.
There was a good bit of excitement when a move involving Marsh and Smith saw the effort strike the underside of the bar but the off-side flag had been raised. Stead, in Rpid foot movement on the right was ahead of his man and looking to cut in, but Bazeley impeded him unfairly and received a caution. The free kick saw a header glanced wide. Oulton was replaced by Brown-Hill, and this latest Barwell substitute looked a useful player.
Snee, receiving a good pass from Marsh, saw his shot saved. Hitchin, it seemed had weathered the storm and it was a bit of a blow when, on seventy-three minutes, Davidson-Miller bagged the equaliser, finding the bottom corner with an excellent low drive. Given the positive nature of their attacking play and patient preparatory passing this was not entirely a surprise, and was certainly a psychological boost for Barwell, who may have felt that that they could go on and snatch all three points. This may well have applied to Hitchin, who had substituted one Marsh twin for the other and both brothers can be pleased with their contribution tonight.
Stead, still looking dangerous tried to connect with a good cross, and apealed unsuccessfully for a penalty and it was clear that the defender had got to the ball before the man. A Hitchin corner saw Ciaren Jones attempt a shot and one from Coldicott-Stevens had the pace but not the accuracy intended. Brown-Hill combined with Davidson-Miller, but Horlock made a steady save. A smashing pass from substitute Dasilva (for Sponsor’s man of the match Snee), towards Stead who fell over himself trying to connect.
As time ticked towards the closing minutes I confess that thought that a point apiece might well be the justifiable result, we had that dramatic climax that I mentioned earlier.
It was the eighty-seventh minute, and with the ball in the air, there was a coming together of players, but Stead had got some purchase on it and he sent in a lob that seemed to hang in the air and then obligingly nestle in the back of the net. It turned out to be the winning goal. What is important here is that there was a mixture of relief amidst the choreographed celebrations, lots of knee sliding and saluting of the Top Field faithful. It showed just what that goal and that win meant to our young team. It was similar to the last win over Nuneaton and gladdened home hearts. It was a fine win, but it was a close run thing, much much closer than the 4-1 Hitchin win when Barwell were last at Top Field.
It was also a reminder of just how hard any team has been to beat. I like to think that it is a kind of reward for the magnificent effort the lads had put in after that denial of a deserved point at Bromsgrove. Barwell had indeed provided a test and thus a valuable three points were gained. It is also an interesting statistic that in the seven competitive games this season there have been no draws.
No doubt Barwell will be aggrieved at getting nothing from this game, but they did not fail to impress. Their considerable swagger in play was matched by Hitchin’s determination and of vital importance is the view that this was a fine game throughout.
Hitchin face two tough upcoming away games in the League, when they face Rushden and Diamonds and Tamworth, the latter on a Tuesday evening, forsooth, but before those take place there is the little matter of the FA Cup on 18 September when Hertfordshire neighbours Cheshunt, of the Isthmian Premier Division, are the guests. A spy from that part of the county was indeed espied and, of course, we have our own man on the job to look at them. I expect that it will be as tough as tonight, and so it should be, since both clubs are of equal status. If the game is as good as tonight’s we are in for a treat.
But for now, let us be grateful that the unwanted run of three successive league defeats has been halted, and for this relief, much thanks.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Dan Akubuine, Alex Brown, PENALTY GOAL, 32 MINUTES, Ryan Smith, Darion Furlong, Ciaren Jones, Alex Marsh,(Lawrie Marsh), Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Callum Stead, TWO GOALS, 12 AND 87 MINUTES, Luke Brown, Henry Snee, (Rio Dasilva).
Unused substitutes: Kye Tearle, Malaki Black and Sam Okoye-Ahaneku.
BARWELL
Max Bramley, Kyron Stabana, cautioned, Elliot Percival, Ross Oulton, (Dominic Brown-Hill), Tyreace Brown, Isiah Bazeley, cautioned, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, GOAL, 73 MINUTES, Micah Edwards, Tristan Dunkley, GOAL, 17 MINUTES, Ben Stephens, (Brady Hickey), Joel Carter, ( Lucas Powell).
Unused substitutes, Liam Castle, GK, Samuel Walton.
REFEREE: Mr J Bloxham, assisted by Mr L Hantea and Mr S Laidler.
ATTENDANCE: 375
REPORT BY PIPEMAN