Report
After a long wait Hitchin gained their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory against local rivals Biggleswade Town. There were plenty of positives as it was a clean sheet, the first time more than one goal has been scored in a game and prize money of £2,250 was gained with a home tie in the second qualifying round against Leiston to come.
Team news saw two changes from Saturday as Blue Joy returned from suspension while Dylan Stitt was unavailable, and after pulling out in the warm up Simeon Olarerin had to be replaced by Cole Butler. Hitchin almost made a disastrous start when Rio Dasilva missed a golden opportunity after some comic defending. But Hitchin settled and took a sixth minute lead after a good run and cross from Callum Kane was well finished by Kye Tearle. George Morrall had a shot pushed out for a corner by Ashton Broome-Alexander while Temi Akinbusoye came close to scoring from a difficult angle.
Tyler McGergor made a good save before Butler shot just wide. The first half ended with Hitchin all over the place and a very good corner nearly led to a goal and panic had set in for a few minutes. But Hitchin started the second half in the best way possible as Butler produced an excellent turn before he shot in to the bottom corner. To be fair to Bigglewade they kept going and Joy had to produce a great block. The game was very open with chances created at both ends. Dan Stokoe had replaced Morrall and after 70 minutes had a shot deflected for a corner from which he nearly scored again.
McGregor made a great save from Samuel Hope while Lord Munsoh hit the bar but Hitchin were still looking dangerous and captain Ciaren Jones added a third goal from a corner two minutes into stoppage time. So a comfortable scoreline but it was a closer contest than the scoreline suggested. Manager Michael Jones was delighted with the win and the main objective was achieved which was getting through to the next round. Apart from the opening and closing minutes he was happy with the first half performance and the early goal in the second half was crucial although he felt we took our foot off the pedal after the goal.
The win can only help our confidence and the supporters could go home happy having seen that elusive win. The attendance was 436 which was good on a day when the weather was not encouraging. Next up it’s back to the Southern League and Hitchin host Stourbridge on Saturday.
Hitchin Town
Tyler McGregor
Cole Butler – GOAL 47 mins
Callum Kane
Blue Joy
Toby Syme
Ciaren Jones (C) – GOAL 90+1 mins
George Morrall
Kavan Cotter
Temi Akinbuyose
Kye Tearle – GOAL 7 mins
Callum Nicolson
Substitutes
Simeon Olarerin
Dan Stokoe
Luke Pagano
Charlie Briggs
Diogo Freitas-Gouveia
Sean Duodu
Biggleswade Town
Ashton Broome-Alexander
Ryan Nuefville
Alex Coppin
Fernando Bell-Toxtle
Dan Newton
Lee Watkins
Callum Mullins
Rio DaSilva
Corey Wilson
Chinedu Osadebe
Carter Hudson-Doncaster
Substitutes
Sam Hope
Dan Sears
Erin Amu
Taylor Rhiney
Adam Turner
Rafe Goodman
Kwaku Munsoh
Attendance: 436