Report
It was perhaps a good idea to put this game back a day, as welcome rain and cooler temperatures arrived late in the second half, and we were also a little anxious about our national women’s team who were, by then, a goal down against Spain. I was fortunate enough to get home in time for the extra time and of course, was delighted by the victory,.
Despite how thrilling the Women’s Euros have been, pre-season matches must go ahead and the team sheet revealed a team that was unfamiliar and yet full of interest. Our opponents tonight have enjoyed national fame for their exploits in the FA Cup and deservedly so. As with Luton Town and Stevenage they seemed to make our players look Lilliputian by contrast.
Also with Luton and Stevenage there was a familiar pattern of Hitchin defending boldly with a slice of luck here and there, and the irony tonight that after thirty odd minutes of rearguard action the opening goal was a gift with what might be termed a goalkeeping error, bad enough to merit an adverse entry in the log.
It was good to see Johnny Allotey in an early moment charge ahead and get a shot away, but within minutes The Wood took matters in hand and soon began to construct passing moves that brought numerous goal chances. Danny Newton forced an early corner, sent in by Josh Rees, cleared by Jack Morrell, but another soon came and was defended by Toby Syme. David Stephens then put in a decent header which brought yet another corner.
In this flurry there was a clearance off the line from Hitchin, which was not the only time this occurred, but Hitchin were relatively stable under pressure. A free-kick from Rees was defended and a cross saw Newton glance wide with a header. Another header just cleared the bar and it did seem that the visitors would soon make an attack count.
Well, it did not quite happen as anticipated. Teirnan Parker, whose pre-season appearances have been notable sent a routine clearance straight to an opponent who marked his appreciation by immediately moving towards goal and slipping a pass to Newton who converted with ease. We had played thirty-five minutes and it was indeed an unfortunate error. But it was just a little fortunate for Hitchin that it was the only goal they did concede, but credit must be given for some quality defending under pressure from the big lads of Boreham Wood.
Lee Ndlovu had a fine shot saved by Parker and a cross from Mendy brought yet another corner and a shot from Tyrone Marsh. Hitchin laboured to get forward and further goal chances were not forthcoming. There was effort, of course, but limited opportunities to retain possession in meaningful moves.
Spots of rain were appearing as if in acknowledgement of a universal appeal for a good downpour, which would no doubt please our ground staff all the more, but the wet stuff did not come in earnest until the latter stages.
Hitchin began the second half in a positive way with Johnny Allotey seeing his shot saved by Ashmore and then Tyrone Marsh blasted his effort over the crossbar. It was better for Hitchin but the visitors did not relent with their passing movers and subtle attacks. their second goal came after sixty-seven minutes and was scored by Josh Rees.
Hope came Hitchin way when a battling Sam Meakes was through on goal and was impeded as he took his shot that dribbled past the post and the inevitable penalty was awarded. Meakes took the spot kick but it was easily saved by Ashmore. Then there came another off the line clearance from Hitchin. Following this there was another penalty appeal from Hitchin and indeed it did seem that the offence was committed just inside the box, but the referee awarded a free-kick inches outside this area and Kye Tearle’s shot was saved routinely by Ashmore.
That was the best of it as the visitors pressed to increase their lead and were denied by defending of varying quality. The usual deluge of substitutions were made but The Wood were in control and they saw the game out with some ease as the rain began to fall more heavily.
For a young, relatively inexperienced Hitchin team this was a reasonable performance against players who were well drilled and unyielding. The forthcoming match at Stotfold on Saturday ought to provide more equal opportunities as manager Mark Burke continues to sort out his best starting eleven.
HITCHIN TOWN
Teirnan Parker, Delsin Ackom, Jack Morrell, Toby Syme, Joe Babbage, Alex Anderson, Lewis Barker, captain, Kye Tearle, Sam Meakes, Rio Dasilva, Johnny Allotey.
Substitutes used – Charlie Horlock, GK, Alfie Jones, Josh Setchell, Callum Kane, George Devine. Not used – Steve Cawley.
BOREHAM WOOD
Nathan Ashmore, Dion Kelly-Evans, Femi Ilesanmi, Mark Ricketts, Will Evans, David Stephens, Josh Rees, GOAL, 67 MINUTES, Lee Ndlovu, Tyrone Marsh, Danny Newton,GOAL, 35 MINUTES, Jacob Mendy Mendy.
Substitutes used – Alfie Egan, Danny Elliott, George Williams, Dennon Lewis, George Joyce, Jamal Fyfield. Not used – Jude Murphy.
Referee- Mr T Breen, assisted by Mr M Mellor and Mr A Steward.
Attendance 299
REPORT BY PIPEMAN