Report
What is always taken to the FA Cup Final at Wembley, but never used? I will provide the answer at the end of the report if you cannot work out the answer.
Hitchin approached today’s cup encounter with some trepidation since there has been a noticeable lack of goals scored by the club in recent matches at Top Field. The game against Biggleswade was in some ways a troubled match as the Bedfordshire side stubbornly refused to concede a goal, and then had the audacity to score one themselves, which proved to be the winner.
Our visitors from Essex have a fine non- league pedigree and have played at a higher level than their present status, which, at level four, is the same as Hitchin. So, nominally, this was a contest between equals.
An early free kick from Grays saw a glancing header, wide, from Hirst and a cross from Hope needed clearing, virtually off the line. The boys in blue looked sharp, and a corner for them saw a shot from Hope, gathered by Bowler. A well-constructed attack from Hitchin saw a shot go wide. Grays had some good vocal support and a very energetic drummer or two, which the Hitchin contingent tried to emulate.
Rhiney had the chance of a shot, but he was very neatly dispossessed. Meanwhile, there were one or two nervous mistakes in the Hitchin defence. Alemanji was fouled and the Hitchin free kick was wasted. It has to be said that those in royal blue were looking the stronger side in the opening exchanges.
Having said that, Alemanji bustled his way to fire one in that was easy for Marsh but then the visitors took the lead with a rather smart finish from Fitzer after fifteen minutes. There was no announcement to confirm this. There was a bit of slick work from Kane and Butler, but cooly deconstructed by the Grays’ defence.
There was an offside for Hitchin after a long-range punt entered the net and received an ironic cheer. There was a good pace shown in Hitchin’s next attack, but it lacked substance. Alemanji had a pleasing urgency about his play, but he struggled to reach Kane’s cross.
Grays were caught offside in their next effort and there was a good feeling about Kane’s combination play with Butler. But half an hour had gone and still we waited for the first home goal of the season. A corner from Hitchin was transformed into a Grays attack but Franklin cleared from the line, denying the visitors what could have been an unassailable lead.
Rhiney’s snap effort was blocked and follow up all but trickled into Marsh’s waiting hands. Franklin delivered a long cross. Kane and Butler were trying to maximise an opportunity but were thwarted. Marsh held a hopeful cross from the hardworking Franklin. Another one saw Kane unable to exercise control, but at least the hosts were the more attacking team, and the hope was for an equaliser within the first half. But the ball was just not falling right. Indeed, it could be argued that Kane’s next cross that brought a Rhiney header should have been converted.
Silcott-Brown had some skilful and energetic moments and in one he was dispossessed by a determined Jones.it was very disappointing to be a goal to the bad at halftime, since the approach work of the team had its scintillating moments but no end product. Both sets of supporters who were given to the songs chants and drums were performing with gusto, which was pleasant to see.
A dangerous moment in the Grays penalty area saw their defence cope, but display some fragility. Heaps had replaced Butler, presumably as the latter was injured after a very promising first half. Amanji and Kane combined but the latter delayed his shot and suffered the consequences.
Heaps seized a chance but Marsh, in goal, was equal to it. A free kick was generously awarded, centrally just outside the area and a four-man wall did its job following Jones’ effort. There was extensive treatment for Shelley-Negus, who appeared to be worse for wear.
In terms of attacking play, Hitchin were the better team, but they were causing frustration for stuttering at the pivotal moment of play. The diligent Alemanji deserved a goal for sheer effort, he was receiving fair service, but we needed players to stay on their feet and not capsize under the challenge. Overhit forward passes that screamed into touch was another feature we could do without.
There were two substitutions from Hitchin with Tearle and Bomolo replacing Joy and Alemanji. Trarke’s high and mighty effort rivalled Heaps’ effort of minutes before. Coldicott- Stevens danced, more or less with the ball but was unable to deliver the best of passes. Rhiney shoton the turn but into the flourishing foliage. Grays were content to protect their lead as if they knew that Hitchin were firing blanks.
Not so a blank was a effort marshalled by Tearle and Bomolo’s effort that we thought was goal bound, but it struck the foot of the post. It was sheer bad luck as the move was classy enough to deserve a goal. I think any neutral spectator would concede that Hitchin had played well enough to equalise, but credit is given to the Grays defence that refused to buckle under pressure.
Franklin did all the hard work but over hit his cross and another chance was lost. Franklin forced another corner with Briggs being blocked and Morrall’s effort was tantamount to a back pass to the goalkeeper. Bomolo won a corner through persistence, and it was defended well. The same player angrily punched the pitch when denied a penalty.
Another corner was sent in by JCS and a header was saved. There were four minutes of added time to send this game to a replay at Tilbury, and it came well into this period with Rhiney bagging the all-important goal and it was greeted with a mixture of both joy and relief. After the match the referee informed me that there was a hint of an own goal about the equaliser, as Rhiney’s header, apparently, came off Macaulay Joyne’s head, but could be credited to Rhiney as it was on target. The jubilant home fans would not care a jot.
Wednesday night is the replay at Tilbury FC. And the answer to my question at the beginning is – the losing team ribbons, as only the winners’ ribbons adorn the trophy.
Hitchin Town
Bowler
Franklin
Kane
Joy
Briggs
Jones (C)
Butler
Coldicott-Stevens
Rhiney (Goal – 90+4 mins)
Alemanji (Reporters MOTM)
McDonald
Substitutes:
Tearle (for Joy)
Heaps (for Butler)
Bomolo (for Alemanji)
Morrall (for McDonald)
Bell-Toxtle, Syme & Gleeson unused
Grays Athletic
Marsh
Brampton
Joynes
Walker
Clarke (C)
Jude
Fitzer (Goal – 14 mins)
Shelvey-Negus
Hirst
Hope
Silcott-Brown
Substitutes:
Nolan-Samuels (for Fitzer)
Romer (for Shelvey-Negus)
Paxman (for Silcott-Brown)
Gordon, Bantick, Gardner & Drew unused
Referee: Mr R Wolford, assisted by Mr S Lally and Mr M Howard.
Attendance: 486
Report by Pipeman
Photos by Peter Else