Report
Tonight saw the first competitive game of the season. Well, that is officially correct but anyone who went to Garden Walk on Saturday, saw a spirited Hitchin side work their way to a deserved one- nil win over Royston Town. That was a friendly but played like a cup tie. It was an encouraging display before we met a team from our own division.
This was the Hertfordshire Charity Cup, with the club also due to play in the county cup at a later stage. There was considerable anticipation of this game and the eventual outcome.
Imprecise play marked the first few minutes characterised by Brooks’ shot that ballooned over the bar and a hopeful lob forward by Jones. Ware looked a little unsettled in going forward. Kane showed promise, as Franklin did on the other flank. The latter, receiving a long diagonal pass, controlled well and decided to shoot, but it was straight at Mumford in the Ware goal.
Ware were more or less gifted an attack, and this resulted in a free kick for them, but Moutawafiq’s effort merely struck one of the four-man wall. It constituted their only effort so far and we had played over fifteen minutes. Hitchin pushed forward, hoping to jeopardise the Ware defence that was perceived to be a little vulnerable. But it was holding firm for now and Mumford’s confident save indicated some frustration for Hitchin.
There was another free kick for Ware that developed no further and Mayuma, free on goal made a hash of his chance. Brooks won a free kick that the referee demanded to be retaken some three times and when it was taken it was something of an anticlimax.
Gleeson’s cross was headed away. It was evident that the teams were evenly matched, but we needed play that could elevate this game above the mediocre. Franklin tried, with a decent run, but his final pass was to an opponent.
Ware had a free kick wide on the left which was over hit and barely kept in play. Brooks held the ball up well from a clearance but again the pass was wayward. Granville fired in in, knowing he was offside, but Bowler held in any case. Rhiney seemed isolated and was still waiting for some proper service. This was provided by McDonald in a promising move, but it was foiled all too easily. This same player, on a run, disdained to pass and his shot was worth the effort and only just over the bar.
Franklin had two crosses, with the second gaining applause despite it clearing the waiting heads. It was the kind of move we wanted more. But half time came, right on time and already there were those who felt that this was the kind of game that would be settled by penalties.
We resumed with some listless passing from Ware and some alarming defensive passing from Hitchin in one of those attempts to play out from the back with masterful ease. It was puzzling that the Hitchin performance did not match the one at Royston. Perhaps it was time for some substitutions. Then Ware had a fine effort where Bowler distinguished himself with a notable save. At last, the game seemed to be escaping its lethargy.
Brooks had a run and cross that was intercepted and Ware won a corner from a well-constructed attack. Rolfe was offside, but there was a sudden liveliness about the visitors that needed quelling. They pumped in a free kick into a crowded box where Jones got in the important defensive kick.
Ware made two substitutions and Jackman cleared from the line. It was suddenly entertaining stuff. Hitchin replaced Gleeson with Bomolo and Bowler inadvertently provided a drinks break when he needed treatment. Then a Hitchin break saw Rhiney pass to Bomolo who was well off target. We expected better since clear cut chances had been few.
Remi-Dee put the ball in the net following the offside flag and we still waited for a legitimate strike. Rhiney won a corner after an attempted cross. Heaps found Jones at the far post, but the header was unsuccessful. Franklin put in a decent cross that was defended well. Ware’s efforts seemed to have tailed off.
Rhiney was upended and a centrally placed free kick provided an opportunity. This hit the wall as did the follow up, but Rhiney’s effort was worthwhile. Ware won a free kick right inside the D but it was a travesty of an effort.
Tearle had come on for Heaps and Morrall replaced Brooks. Jones huge forward pass had Bomolo chasing to win a corner which proved routine for Mumford. Then the anonymous Triallist A came on for Rhiney. Morrall had a double chance blocked, and at least the game was finishing with some pace and earnestness. But the absence of goals was sorely felt. A late free kick from Ware was gathered comfortably by Bowler. Then Mc Donald could have won it, but he dragged his shot painfully wide.
A late corner from Hitchin was eventually converted to a goal kick and it seemed that a penalty competition beckoned. Two minutes was the additional time. If this were a league match perhaps we would shrug our shoulders and say a point is a point and I daresay we will have dour matches like this during the season. One or two I spoke to were hugely dissatisfied with the home performance and this was vouchsafed before the final whistle.
Yes, we went to penalties right after Franklin’s effort was blocked. Here are the details:
Hitchin Town – McDonald Scored (1-0)
Ware – Chapps Scored (1-1)
Hitchin Town – Morrall Scored (2-1)
Ware – Remi-Dee Hit Crossbar (2-1)
Hitchin Town – Coldicott-Stevens Scored (3-1)
Ware – Mayuma Scored (3-2)
Hitchin Town – Triallist A Over the Bar (3-2)
Ware – Moutawafiq Scored (3-3)
Hitchin Town – Bomolo Scored (4-3)
Ware – Alfieri Scored (4-4)
Hitchin Town – Tearle Scored (5-4)
Ware – Yidiz Penalty Saved (5-4)
Hitchin Town
Bowler
Franklin
Kane
Coldicott-Stevens
Jackman
Jones (C)
Heaps
Gleeson
Rhiney
Brooks
McDonald
Substitutes:
Tearle (for Heaps)
Bomolo (for Gleeson)
Triallist A (for Rhiney)
Morrall (for Brooks)
Syme was unused
Ware
Mumford
Alfieri
Jeudjic
Moutawafiq
Grosvenor
Rolfe
Okwusogu
Granville
Remi- Dee
Esprit
Mayuma
Substitutes Used:
Yidiz (for Okwusogu)
Okotcha (for Granville)
Chapps (for Esprit)
Townsend (for Remi-Dee)
Thomas was unused
Referee: Mr R Wolford, assisted by Mr O Keil and Mr T Fogden.
Attendance: 246
Report by Pipeman
Photos by Peter Else