Recap
This was literally a game of three thirds – each lasting half an hour and we had the usual swathes of substitutes in the roll on, roll off fashion. Hitchin tonight employed the Development squad, academy players and reserves, call them what you will, but it was vital to see how these youngsters were developing alongside players of more varied experience.
Playing in an initially aggressive forward role was Ezra Forde, who, along with Alex Anderson has returned to Hitchin colours. They were among the twenty-one players in the squad in what was nominally a competitive annual match with our Spartan League neighbours, who are looking forward to contesting in division one of that league.
Hitchin soon began to put constructive moves together, with Forde trying his luck with an early shot that brought a routine save. Ben Stevens was very active as was Jason Dwumfo whose soft shot and perhaps ought to have opened the scoring. Eagles defended well, and they were kept busy in their collective role as the Canaries pressed. Finley Wilkinson’s shot was wild and inaccurate, and the best shot of the half came from Joe Babbage. Another Wilkinson effort was nobly cleared off the line by Eagles’ number five, and a further effort from Forde drew a good save from the home goalkeeper.
The opening goal was somewhat unfortunate as number two, Theo Nobbs, not really under pressure saw his back pass trickle over the line, for Hitchin’s first goal of the pre-season games. This came right at the end of the first third, which had been well contested but with Hitchin providing the more creative moments.
The resumption followed erelong with the customary deluge of substitutions and three minutes in Hitchin were awarded a penalty, which was converted by Wilkinson. I was given a team sheet that contained eighteen names and true to form we saw the emergence of numbers nineteen to twenty-one, and I thanks Chris Newbold for sending me a text identifying them. One of these, Stephen Enoh had a fine chance to add to the score but his almost apologetic tap was a mixture of a tap and an air shot.
Eagles laboured intensively but could not provide meaningful chances, which they reserved for the final third where they really made a game of it. They had two successive corners that were dealt with well by the Hitchin defence.
The last third was far more competitive as Eagles created a flurry or two in the penalty area and indeed with pleasing verve they forced the pace. They had an initial shot that needed a save from Tiernan Parker. A fine moment for the hosts came with a delightful shot that hit the crossbar and was just tipped over the bar for a corner. They did well to prevent hitchin from adding to the score and I was hoping that the Canaries might score a goal from open play that was not an own goal.
Harry Dollimore, who had a fine game had already blasted in a fine effort had a late header that was well saved by the home keeper. In one attack there was an optimistic penalty appeal from Eagles that failed to convince the experienced referee. To their credit, Eagles pushed hard but failed to gain a compensatory goal.
It was a game played in the right spirit and was no doubt appreciated by the fair attendance. We wish our neighbours success in their Spartan campaign and it is quite clear that they have a good deal of ambition to move the club forward.
HITCHIN TOWN
Tiernan Parker, Delsin Ackom, Alex Anderson, Toby Syme, Joe Babbage, Tarlk Dallas, Finlay Wilkinson, PENALTY GOAL, Josh Setchell, Ezra Forde, Ben Stevens, Jason Dwumfo.
Substitutes- Vinny Shah, Josh Mollison, Jerrel Watkins, Josh Partridge, Harry Dollimore, Seni Akinola, Henry Silver, Lewis Lynn, Stephen Enoh and Aris, whose full name I did not receive.
There were no details provided for the home team or the officials. Apologies.
REPORT BY PIPEMAN