Report
The pre-season is over and today marked the first competitive game and it is one of significance. It may be the Hertfordshire Charity Cup, and indeed a quarter final, but it is also a game that will demonstrate how good, bad or indifferent the team is against a club playing in the same division.
It is always an unknown factor as to how other teams are shaping up for the campaign and pre-season friendlies can only reveal so much about players and their potential. One asset for Hitchin Town has been the ‘collective identity’, with the players comfortable in their roles and a real feeling for the club has been nurtured.
Both teams, to their credit, went at it from the start. Royston’s first attack was thwarted but suggested more was to come, and indeed it did, giving the game a pleasing serious tone. The early minutes were marked by earnest attacking play from the Crows, who looked dangerous going forward.
Layne Eadie had put in a couple of crosses, the second bringing an off-target shot, and Matt Bateman saw his shot blocked by Stan Georgiou. Charlie Horlock strayed from his line to deny a chance and at the other end, with a free shot and time to place it, FinleyWilkinson ought to have opened the scoring and held his hands up with embarrassment and despair when he lofted the ball over the crossbar.
Back came Royston with a corner, defended by Dempsey Thomas for another corner that was entirely wasted. Much better for Hitchin was a move involving Cotter and Tearle, bringing a corner, defended a little awkwardly, but there had been some hesitancy about Hitchin’s play, and they were allowed no time on the ball. Bradley Bell was showing the way with his characteristic determination and pleasing habit of putting in inviting crosses.
Jack Snelus was hurried into his shot that went wide. Thomas was there to clear from the goal line with Horlock still trying to return to his goal following a necessary challenge on Bateman, who, had he retained control would have had an empty net to place his finish. We were enjoying a fine competitive tone and it served as a reminder of just how tough the campaign would be.
Then, with a opportune strike, somewhat against the general run of play, Isaac Galliford snatched the lead in a nonchalant manner after twenty-seven minutes. It more than made up for Wilkinson’s embarrassing miss.
Great skill from Bradley Bell saw his cross begging for connection, which was prevented, but Hitchin were now playing with greater confidence. But there was still some stylish stuff from the Crows that needed some concentrated defending. A piece of magic from Cain Keller saw him shoot well from close range but Horlock’s save was notable and vital.
Bateman evaded the off side but shot across the goal and Horlock again made a vital stop, and it was clear that the Crows were looking for the equaliser. It was all very exciting with unceasing commitment. Kavan Cotter’s shot was decent and only just wide. Four minutes were added for stoppages and they were eventful, with Hitchin showing that the best form of defence was attack, and a second goal was almost bagged from a close range shot, held by Chadwick. Bateman’s effort went across the goal, with no-one to connect, but this again came from smart work from the impressive Keller.
Hitchin took their lead to the interval after what had been a fine half, that had demonstrably shown that the season had begun in earnest.
Hitchin brought on Ciaren Jones and Lewis Barker for the second half, replacing Kye Tearle and Dempsey Thomas. Snelus had the first shot that Chadwick saved with a trailing leg. Royston brought on Newman for Esan. They also introduced Trialist C. Hitchin then added Diogo Freitas Gouveia for his first outing since the injury at Stotfold.
In the interim, both Snelus and Galliford received cautions in a game that had a sustained biting edge to it. Snelus had a decent sniff at goal, but was thwarted. There was a drinks break when two in aquamarine lay in studied poses awaiting treatment. Another trialist then entered the fray for Royston, and another shortly after,
A Hitchin attack resulted in a blocked shot for the hard working Bell. Gouveia was eager to be involved but his absence had affected his usual trickery so far. He won a free kick in an inviting area and Williams was booked for kicking the ball away, showing a bit of frustration on behalf of his team that was under some pressure.
John Freeman replaced Steve Gleeson, who had been quite influential in the first half. The pace was still frenetic and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. A second goal would be very welcome was my understandable thought. A cross from Keller brought a corner for Royston, which was a good one but the resultant header cleared the bar and on came another Royston trialist. These anonymous chaps were doing quite well, I must say, with one of them hitting the post with a low shot.
Then Diogo Freitas Gouveia added to the lead with a fine low shot in the eighty-second minute. It turned out to be a vital goal. We have missed him. Then substitute John Freeman was replaced by Charlie Miller. Royston had faded in the second half, but I liked what I saw of their trialists, one of whom was cautioned for manhandling Gouveia and the free kick just shaved the crossbar.
Galliford’s shot was saved just after he was awarded man of the match and Royston officials had told me that he has a habit of scoring against them. Horlock was needed to make a late save. Then the Crows struck with a trialist scoring from close range – in the ninety-sixth minute, showing we can rival the women’s World Cup for time added on, albeit inexplicably at times.
Royston pushed for the equaliser with a late rally and we had played ten minutes over before the whistle went. Match officials informed me that ‘time added on’ has been an issue but clubs must be prepared for the seemingly inordinate number of minutes tacked on. Hitchin go into the hat for the semi-final draw. Hertfordshire FA officials told me, however, that it was to be an away fixture against either St Albans or Hemel Hempstead.
It is not too long before we meet Royston at home for a League game and I expect the attendance will be much larger than today’s, which for a domestic cup game was about average. I also expect the game to be more demanding than today’s encounter which was a ‘proper’ game from start to finish.
I suspect that much may be learned from this meeting not least that the division is going to be tight and hard fought, and , of course, there are some strong clubs being placed among our numbers, such as Telford, Stamford and Kettering.
And so we begin at home next week when Alvechurch are the visitors, followed by an away trip to Long Eaton.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Kye Tearle, (Ciaren Jones), Layne Eadie, Stan Georgiou, Dempsey Thomas, (Lewis Barker, cautioned,) Kavan Cotter, Bradley Bell, Stephen Gleeson, (John Freeman – replaced by Charlie Miller), Jack Snelus, cautioned, Isaac Galliford, GOAL, 27 MINUTES, sponsors’ man of the match, cautioned, Finley Wilkinson, (Diogo Freitas Gouveia, GOAL, 82 minutes. All substitutes were used.
ROYSTON TOWN
Louis Chadwick, Greg Sandiford, (Trialist D), James Brighton, (Trialist A), ED Asafu-Adjaye, (Trialist C, cautioned), Adam Murray, captain, Mackye Townsend-West, Florian Nobel, Alfie Williams, cautioned, Matt Bateman, (Trialist B), Samson Esan, (Tom Newman).Cain Keller, opposition star man. All substitutes used.
Referee – Mr Jordan Gibson, assisted by Mr Chris Geelan and Mr Tom Cartwright.
Attendance 319
REPORT BY PIPEMAN