Report
This particular game saw Michael Jones taking charge of the team on an interim basis, which he has done before, and this follows the news of Brett Donnelly’s departure. We know that Hitchin Town is bred in the bone as far as Brett goes and we wish him success in his next venture. His task had been an onerous one, exacerbated by the reprieve but unfortunately results had been overwhelmingly poor.
His former team needed to recover from the trauma of conceding ten goals in two home games and growing criticism from many supporters and tonight’s game was a positive new beginning.
Michael Jones has wasted no time, and we welcome the return of Kye Tearle and Bradley Bell, both notable players from last season. We also mention that Ciaren Jones is now captain, and we have a new young goalkeeper in the form of Sam Carman, and he played alongside the experienced Stephen Gleeson who also made a welcome and influential return.
Hadley have made an impressive start to the season, being top in the Division One Central and have also notched up an excellent run in the FA Trophy. Such is their form that it could be said that Hitchin may have been seen as underdogs by those of a cynical turn in this Hertfordshire Senior Cup encounter.
There was an understandably eager start from Hitchin with attacks on the left flank and through the middle, with Hadley’s keeper needing to thwart one attempt from a long through ball. Ciaren Jones showed perception with his passing play as if a weight had been taken from his back. He was outstanding throughout.
The first strike on goal came from Hadley with Alfieri firing wide in fierce fashion. This saw good counter play from Hitchin and a low pass saw Chidyausiku fire one in to give the hosts an eleventh minute lead. It was vital that this momentum was maintained, which it was. Jones slipped a decent pass to Ekongo, who was fouled and this led to another free kick and persistence from Sambou won a corner.
The next bit of meaningful action was when Stokoe broke free of all challenges and only had the keeper to beat but this particular duel favoured the keeper and that attempt goes into the category of ‘should have scored,’ but the striker atoned for this in due course.
Our own keeper gave away a corner cheaply but so far, he had not been called upon to make a save, a Jones pass forward to Deall saw the latter just caught offside. Passing had been a lot more precise, and a lot of play was along the floor. Stokoe was amidst a move that won a corner, taken by Gleeson but Jones was rightfully penalised for foul play.
Another cunning pass from Jones saw the next effort thwarted but so far Hitchin were excellent value for their lead with play that had been both confident and audacious. Deall’s smart effort saw a corner, which was shrugged off by the Hadley defence, but their own short passing moves were not paying the right kind of dividends as yet.
Titchmarsh was on a promising run and was brought down by Rosemin who was cautioned, and the free kick was dealt with adequately. They put together a fair attack, but it was lacking in vision and intervention was unsurprising. We were approaching half time and Hitchin had been the better team. But Hadley are not top of Division One Central by accident, and I fully expected them to be more competitive in the second period. Indeed, they ended the first half quite strongly, but without managing a direct shot on goal.
The second half saw Hitchin begin with a corner that was defended awkwardly, allowing counter play and a good intervening tackle. Stokoe tried one at the other end but hit too high. Franklin showed surefooted defending and Syme’s precise forward ball saw a marginal offside decision. Again, splendid passing from Jones afforded another opportunity and Carman was then called upon to deal with a hopeful cross.
Gould’s run in possession ended poorly for him as Franklin picked his pocket. There was another offside for Hitchin as Chidyausiku battled for possession. Deall instigated a smart move which was thwarted but Hitchin were still hungry. Gleeson was cautioned for what might be called a professional foul, but it was a little harsh.
Gleeson then departed to the bench and was replaced by Luke Stokoe. Dixon -Smith replaced the industrious Franklin. The authoritative Jones cleared the next Hadley threat. The visitors made some substitutions of their own – no fewer than four in fact. Gould had a decent run on goal, and it was Ekongo who performed the defensive duty.
Hitchin were awarded a penalty when Daniel Stokoe encroached into the area and was fouled, and it was he who converted the spot kick, low to the left. We had played sixty- eight minutes. Deall then gave way to Lewis Barker, and it was hoped that LB would not see his name go into the book on this occasion. Hadley had another go and Jones it was who held firm. Stones had an outside chance of success, but he ran out of pitch, but the Hadley substitutes had definitely beefed up their team.
Ward pulled off a decent save as Hitchin persisted with this newfound hunger and determination. Wilson then replaced Chidyausiku, the fourth substitute to be used by the hosts. Stones had a low shot that was easy for Carman. Daniel Stokoe broke away and this resulted in a corner from which no connection was obtained. But Hitchin were still on the attack.
A Hadley free kick wide on the right resulted in counter play with Titchmarsh providing the momentum. Then there was a home free kick, after eighty- four minutes in a good central position with Jones scoring magnificently to reinforce his accolade as man of the match. This team is all the better for his rejuvenated presence and leadership tonight.
Although it was something of a novelty for a Hitchin team to be ahead by three clear goals and dominating proceedings in such an illustrious manner, we were enjoying it. Oddly enough the image I remember is before the game, when I walked in with Toby Syme, he not only had a broad smile but promised good things and we saw them tonight.
For the last ten minutes we saw the debut of William McNeill, who replaced Daniel Stokoe. Credit goes to the small knot of visiting supporters who sang throughout and displayed some rather interesting flags that just about exceeded their owners in number.
The match headed towards its conclusion with Hitchin firmly in control and when we did reach the conclusion those around me agreed that in many ways we had our team back. There was an invigorating freshness about the team performance, and I am aware that Hadley had experimented with their team selection and brought in the experience with the substitutions.
It was good just to see a win and the manner in which it was secured. Notable too was Sam Carman being able to keep a clean sheet on his debut. The low attendance was nothing new for a domestic competition and this team will travel to Banbury on Saturday, aware of the comparative enormity of the task but in the knowledge that the improvement was noticeable tonight, and it is something to build on.
Interim manager Michael Jones has begun with a convincing win, but now will preside over a team that has good cause to believe that progress will follow, and points will be won.
We wish our opponents all success in their league and their forthcoming Trophy match at home to Telford.
HITCHIN
Carman, Franklin, (Dixon- Smith),Ekongo, Sambou, Syme, Jones, Captain, GOAL, 84 minutes, 3-0, this reporter’s Man of the Match, Deall, (Barker), Gleeson, cautioned, (L Stokoe), Chidyausiku, GOAL, 1-0, 11 minutes, (Wilson), D Stokoe, PENALTY GOAL, 68 minutes, 2-0 (McNeill), Titchmarsh.
HADLEY
Ward, Alfieri, Jeudic, (Alfano), Boxer, (Edwards), Ogbebor, Rosemin, cautioned, Ferguson, Captain, Powell, Aldridge, (Hayes), Gould, Effa, (Stones), Other substitute – Gbio.
Referee – Mr M Randell, assisted by Mr B Twitchings and Mr R Poole.
Attendance 232
REPORT BY PIPEMAN