Report
I think it is most appropriate that a team nicknamed Saints should play in a charity cup, but given their parlous state at present we did not expect them to be the least bit charitable. Hitchin were eager to improve on the dismal game in the FA Trophy where the result again meant that we could ‘concentrate on the league,’
Tonight, the team could concentrate in this domestic cup game but before the teams could enter the fray, manager Brett Donnelly reported to the boardroom and announced that the home team had no goalkeeper as Kyle Forster had fallen from some scaffolding and could be absent for some time. Of course, we wish him a speedy recovery.
The Hertfordshire FA representative made a couple of phone calls, and it was later agreed by our visitors that a training goalkeeper from Hitchin’s wider squad could play, under these special circumstances. It was another rainy night, but the pitch was holding up well. So, as it happened, the goalkeeper position for Hitchin fell to Brad Shaw.
The Saints, playing in pink and black started proceedings and it was evident that the ball would be a little zippy in these conditions. He Conference South side were soon strutting their stuff and indeed thought that they had taken an early lead, but this was ruled out by the lineman’s flag. The early pressure was from St Albans who won a corner from a blocked attack, but they conceded a free kick soon after it was taken.
Chinedu’s darting run was blocked and a bit of sloppy play gave a gift to George Morrall who had just the keeper to beat but the shot bounced off the crossbar. He really should have scored. A Hitchin free kick was entirely wasted and then a botched clearance from keeper Michael Johnson, our former player, saw the ball rebound off Daniel Stokoe to give Hitchin the lead. We had played ten minutes. An elaborate attack from St Albans finished limply, but they won a free kick in the right that just went backwards and indeed resulted in a home free kick.
This brought a mis-hit shot from Dixon-Smith and then a counter from the Saints, which again petered out. The visitors were now having more possession but doing no damage with it so far. Shaw held Whittaker’s on target shot, the fist of such from the Saints. Dixon –Smith was robbed of the ball in the penalty area, and he appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty.
Ekongo seemed to be bundled over on a run, but this merely brought a corner, which came to nothing. Whittaker appeared to commit a foul and thus conceded a free kick in an inviting place. This was the thirty- fifth minute and Hoddle tried to conjure up something to no avail. There was a good shot from Brooks, but nothing could be made from the parry.
Moore replaced James for St Albans, who won another corner following a decent block. There was a shot, which was well held by Shaw. Good defending by Roberts put the end to another foray. Half time was imminent, and the Saints were yet to threaten.
There was a half-time substitution for Hitchin with Toby Syme replacing Dan Sears. St Albans won a free kick following a promising move. This was a clever free kick from Banton and Payne ought to have scored from his powerful strike. The rain had steadily increased during the interval.
Chinedu was making a fine contribution, and Shaw made another fine save and Hitchin continued to play well. Simms, harassed by the home defence had a shot on goal that went woefully wide, but he did look dangerous in possession. A corner from the Saints saw them gain a free kick right on the edge of the area. Banton sent it in, but Hitchin cleared it well. A number of substitutions were made, which saw Snee at last, following his injury and following this, Shaw save well again.
The hour mark was reached, and we continued to be impressed with Hitchin. Godless had a shot on the run, but Shaw was comfortable again. And again, a free kick was conceded in a dangerous area and St Albans would have another go via Jeffers whose effort went wide. The same player attempted a header from a cross but missed the ball completely.
By now Hitchin had used all five substitutes, with the visitors just one behind in this statistic. There was a delay whilst goalkeeper Johnson received treatment. Good defensive work from Syme was adding to this confident display. Payne win a free kick on the left, which was headed out for a corner, but still the equaliser was denied to the Saints who were exerting good pressure.
A Hitchin corner, a rare happening in this second half, was defended and once more an elaborate counterattack was staged without result. Akinola sent in a useful cross that was poked away from harm and Shaw held the next one, exuding confidence. Johnson was called upon to make a save as Hitchin enjoyed a brief spell of attack and then, almost out of nothing the equaliser came in the eighty- eighth minute and the marksman was George Hoddle.
So, penalties loomed. But five additional minutes were tacked on – enough time for an heroic winner. A Saints free kick came from the right and was scooped away. Then there was one from Hitchin on the left and Johnson held the effort. The game finished with a strike from Moore who saw the fine effort denied by the crossbar.
Penalty competition – St Albans first.
- 1 Jeffers, 1-0 Roberts, shot saved.
- 2 Banton 2-0 Stokoe, 2-1
- 3 Akinola,3-1 Dreyer, shot saved
- 4 Moore 4-1 and St Albans win on penalties but no disgrace as Hitchin put in a decent shift and young goalkeeper Brad Shaw had a night to remember.
HITCHIN
Shaw, Ekongo, Dixon- Smith, Sambou, (Barker), Sears, (Syme), Roberts, Morrall, Forbes, cautioned, (Dreyer), Chidyausiku, (Snee), Brooks, captain, (Wilson), Stokoe,GOAL, 1-0, 10 minutes. All substitutes used.
ST ALBANS
Johnson, James, captain, (Moore), Payne, Woodman, (Jeffers), Gautier, Whittaker, (Allen), Hoddle, GOAL, 1-1, 88 minutes, Meakes, Banton, Simms, (Akinola), Chinedu, this reporter’s man of the match. Substitute not used – Castiglione.
Referee- Mr S Smith, assisted by Mr N Angus and Mr A Tregoning.
PIPEMAN