Report
The Daniels, arriving from one of our most gracious towns, have not been to Top Field since November 2006, in a league game that Hitchin won. The corresponding fixture, at Stamford’s stadium old ground, resulted in a win for our visitors. They are new to this division, and results show them to have settled well.
This clash in the FA Trophy followed the domestic cup game with an impressive Leverstock Green side, and was yet another home game, with Coalville Town to come next Saturday at Top Field. The Daniels are also due here for a league game early next month. The weather was warm and set fair, the pitch magnificent and the stage set for a thrilling cup tie.
There was a positive start from the Canaries, with an early attack that fizzled out. This was continued, with Stamford defending patiently. The first strike for the visitors fell to former Hitchin player Trey Charles whose low shot was saved and at the in other end Wilkinson and Idiakhoa were far too hesitant inn their combined move.
In a swift move Bell got one in on target, parried by Duggan and then cleared. Snelus tried a diagonal shot, which was wide, but this kind of play from Hitchin was being well appreciated. Chitiza’s cross looked inviting, but there was no-one within reach. Better was Charles’ deflected shot, held by Horlock.
With Stamford settling now, they won a corner and scored a spectacular goal with Jack Duffy’s overhead kick after twenty- one minutes. The opportunity was maximised in a skilful fashion, and it was quite a blow to Hitchin who had been edging toward scoring, having more possession and not being short of ideas. It was a little against the run of play but a goal of that quality. Was worth seeing, whoever scores it.
Then, in a lovely move, Wilkinson motored forward, and his pass was diverted into to the goal – a definite own goal after twenty- seven minutes. The announcer said Idiakhoa but it was definitely turned in by Connor Bartle. Much was owed to Wilkinson’s pace and intent. A Hitchin corner brought a good downward header from Ciaren Jones, which Duggan pushed away, which he did for the next corner that produced an immediate counterattack of such pace that it was relatively easy for Duffy to restore the Daniel’s lead with not a half hour gone yet. It seemed indecent to concede a goal when you have just had a corner.
Worse was to come, and just a minute or so later, when another romp up field from those in red saw Trey Charles score against his old club to make it 3-1 with the Canaries visibly shell- shocked. Four goals in thirty- three minutes and all of them scored by the visitors if you count the own goal. Good cup tie stuff, but alarming for Hitchin, who tried to get forward, winning a corner that brought a weak shot from Wilkinson. This was followed by a drinks break as Horlock went down injured, and I am sure that Mark Burke had more than a few words to say about the rapid concession of goals after the smile of fortune that had enabled Hitchin to equalise. Half time was still five minutes away.
There was a further corner, well held by Duggan, and Hitchin kept up this late momentum, but vital passes were painfully too heavy. Tearle’s good play gave Wilkinson a late chance, but Duggan punched out the cross. Half time came and our prospects looked decidedly gloomy, with the scoring of three goals and conceding none a little implausible.
The second period began relatively well, with some good attacking play, but no-one was there to tap in Tearle’s good low cross. Idiakhoa’s effort was well blocked and we wondered if the new signing, a striker called Arnold Matshazi might be called to the colours. There were no substitutions as yet for the hosts.
Stamford were now comfortable and unhurried, content with defence and sporadic attacks. Bell’s delivery was accurate and although that was kept out, Idiakhoa reduced the arrears with a well taken shot on the hour mark. The simplicity of the strike matched the other goals in this hugely entertaining game. There was an incident when Bell was caught late and the referee issued a yellow card to Vince, with some home fans hoping for a red, but the referee had it right.
Snelus looked good for a clear shot, but a defender was in the way and Wilkinson followed up with a shot that needed more bend to it – but at least the team was trying hard. Tearle was still gamely putting in the crosses and one to Eadie saw a free header only just prevented. Some efforts were frantic, and a free kick was win in a decent position. Emovon replaced Eadie just as Ciaren Jones had a go. This pressure was vital and exciting – one goal for the hosts could send this to penalties, not ideal but acceptable at this stage.
Snelus hooked the next effort over the bar and time ticked. Bell tried one from range, hopeful but wide, but these often go in and are worth trying. Barker’s cross was beaten away for a counter that was well offside and back came Hitchin , trying to thread their way through a packed defence. Bell was notable in his efforts, but the final pass just lacked the pace needed for proper connection.
Stamford made the most of an isolated attack with Morgan almost connecting with what would have been a devastating header. Back came Hitchin, losing possession and giving Chitiza a chance but Horlock saved at the expense of a corner. Barker had a rush of blood and put in a wild and inaccurate shot.
Cotter came on as a late substitute and there were only minutes to go. Idiakhoa set up a move which brought bar free kick wide on the left, which was defended for a corner, put in by Gleeson for another. It was tense and Barker’s header went over the bar. The last throw of the dice was replacing the energetic and inventive Bell with Galliford who has been known to weave a goal from a remote possibility.
Five additional minutes signalled some further hope as Hitchin continued bot press. A free kick saw Gleeson try to pick out someone in yellow and green, but it was a goal kick. Then Snelus was brought down, and the free kick was well defended. The end was nigh, and it really is not enough to have a spirited comeback, since we really ought not to have been in that situation.
The last assaults on goal might have gained that third goal and sent it all to that familiar drama of penalties, and, in a way, I am pleased that it did not.
Yes, we are at home again next Saturday, with Coalville Town travelling down from Leicestershire, to find, I hope, Hitchin Town ‘concentrating on the league’.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, (Isaac Galliford), Bradley Bell, Layne Eadie, (Dan Emovon), Stan Georgiou, cautioned, Ciaren Jones, Lewis Barker, Kye Tearle, (Kazan Cotter), Steve Gleeson, Dan Idiakhoa, GOAL, 59 MINUTES, 3-2 – Sponsors’ choice of Star Man, Jack Snelus, Finley Wilkinson. Substitutes not used- Temi Akinbusoye, Toby Syme’s, Arnold Matshazi and Chris Khoo.
STAMFORD
Michael Duggan, Joe Burgess, (Ollie Browne-Hill), Connor Bartle, OWN GOAL, 26 MINUTES, Michael Armstrong, Ashton Offler, James Blunden, Tendai Chitiza, Rob Morgan, captain, Jack Duffy, MAN OF THE MATCH, TWO GOALS, 21 AND 29 MINUTES, Harry Vince, cautioned, Trey Charles, GOAL, 31 MINUTES, (Tom Siddons). Substitutes not used- Harry Wood, Bradley Munns, Jon Challinor.
Referee- Mr Sam Weston assisted by Mr Dan Miller and Mr Pat Hanlon.
Attendance 362
Report by Pipeman