Report
Yes, Hitchin almost took the lead in the first minute, with a vibrant attack that was actually cleared off the line. That’s the stuff chaps, was our reaction, but the Hatters reacted swiftly and scored directly from a corner with an unchallenged header. We had played about three minutes. The simplicity of the goal asked pertinent questions about the marking and defending. We did not want the Hatters producing a hatful.
I had some difficulty establishing who scored, getting a different name each time. After the match I asked Luton fan who scored the first goal and received the reply ‘Luton’ with the glottal stop. But I persevered and I think I can safely say it was Archie Shepherd. And if I am wrong, well, I am wrong.
Play continued with Luton having another attempt which was well wide, but Hitchin were harassed in possession. They won a corner, and Callum Kane seemed to have had a duty to mark and worry the keeper who complained in vain, as no free kick was awarded. Kane then attempted a run along the left flank that was quickly cancelled. Bomolo tried to develop a meaningful move, but his marker had the better of matters.
Kye Tearle’s defensive header needed Josh Bowler to ensure safety, perhaps Kye did not want to ruin his new hair do. Harris, of Luton set up a chance but Lorentzen- Jones put the ball over the bar. Oli Lynch, well known here at Hitchin, finished a similar chance in the same manner. Harris won a corner which avoided the devastating conclusion of the last one. Brooks hooked a good pass forward and Jackman ensured the corner, and Brooks hit the ball on the volley but wide.
A free kick, wide on the right, from Tearle, and Briggs had a close-range shot saved by Blackledge. It was Luton’s turn for a free kick that was well defended but Stitt really ought to have made it two, close as he was to goal following a cross. Bomolo was caught offside in the next effort.
Harris sent in a corner for the Hatters that was cleared, somewhat untidily. Bomolo advanced on goal and had the partial reward of a corner. This was dealt with robustly by the visitors. A positive attack from the hosts saw McNeill’s pass intercepted. Lorentzen – Jones took a free kick that was a fine example of How Not To Do it and Hitchin began to attempt possession football despite players snapping at their heels. We had played for half an hour, and the home side had battled well, needing to defend against the quick breaks from the Hatters.
A blooper from Gleeson allowed a chance and Bowler dived bravely but Lynch was injured in the process, needing treatment. Players took water during this considerable break. We resumed play and Brooks was in with a chance, but his marker had the better of it. More artful construction in onward moves was a necessity for Hitchin. Tearle waited to take a corner when the referee had words about the pushing, shoving and grappling that always occurs in this set piece. Lynch was the player who headed the ball to safety in a resolute manner.
After the interval, there was a change of teams so to speak and the first few minutes of the half showed an even match. There was a Luton free kick, wide on the left that gave a chance, but was defended as was the next Hitchin foray. The quality of play was eager but not as slick as the first period. There was a fine, threaded pass from Triallist A that needed more skilful handling but did not get it, alas.
Luton won a corner, somewhat fortuitously, Trustram took this, and the ball was partially cleared and the attack still on. Blue Joy and Triallist sorted this out. Another corner came from the incomplete attack and Chenery’s header was easily held by Kamara. Syme neatly foiled another chance, but it was clear that the visitors were adamant in their attempt to dominate. At this stage neither team had the sharper edge to their play, and real attempts on goal were lacking. Chigozie’s header, for example we more like a friendly back pass. Chard’s cross had a bit of aggression into, but Kamara cut it out nicely. Syme’s cross from the left was well aimed but eluded attempts to connect.
A relatively elaborate move from Hitchin, involving many passes saw Franklin shoot just wide at the far post. It was the closest we had come to an equaliser. Ionnides tried one from range and it was worth a go, but it cleared the bar by a good margin. Franklin cut out a dangerous cross somewhat magnificently as a connection for a Luton man may well have brought a second goal. There was about a quarter of an hour remaining.
Kamara’s anticipatory play was notable, and his confidence was good to see. A Hitchin free kick in a tantalising position did not fulfil expectations. Then with a bit of wizardry Luton scored a second and the goal was scored by Tate Xavier-Jones and I made it eighty-three minutes. I had hardly finished typing that sentence when the Hatters added a magnificent third. The goal was attributed to Ionnides who, like his teammates had saved the best until last.
As good as those goals were, it did seem a little out of proportion, but I suppose it is all about taking chances when they are provided. So, we had two matches in a sense and there was plenty for manager Michael Jones to ponder. It was generally entertaining stuff, and I even had a little listen to the Sandy Ukele group who were performing in the bar as part of the Cheese and Wine Festival.
The next game is against Milton Keynes Dons and again that will be a stern challenge for our growing squad.
Hitchin Town
First Half:
Bowler
Jackman (C)
Kane
Tearle
Briggs
Syme
McNeill
Gleeson
Bomolo
Brooks
McDonald
Second Half:
Kamara
Franklin (C)
Triallist A
Joy
Triallist B
Triallist C
Rhiney
Triallist D
Syme
Kane
Forbes
Triallist E
Luton Town
First Half:
Blackledge
Hutt
Fox
Kayibanda (C)
Paternoster
Evans
Lorentzen-Jones
Stitt
Lynch
Harris
Shepherd (GOAL – 3 mins)
Second Half:
Coyne
Roberts-Edema
Chard
Chigozie (C)
Chenery
Ionnides (GOAL – 84 mins)
Jackson
Trustram
Odegah
Xavier-Jones (GOAL – 82 mins)
Anderson
Kwarme-Anson
Asamoah Jnr
Hincapie-Alfonso
Referee: Mr L Grimesy, assisted by Mr C Geelan and Mr J Dawson.
Attendance: 514