Report
This was one of the two scheduled visits to Clarence Park, to play St Albans City who are indeed senior to us, playing in a league above. I like their stadium, it has the feel of respectability, a Victorian touch, and is rather like visiting a forthright maiden aunt. This club has made great strides forward with an impressive 124 percent increase in attendances over the last three years and their best attendance last season was 3696.
Both fixtures are County matches and given a lower priority, but the personnel involved always give their all in what are cup matches that necessitate a decision on the night, so a penalty shoot-out could have occupied us at the end. We were, however, spared the drama of that conclusion.
Hitchin put out a reasonably strong team, but the injury list has become a bit longer. Jack Snelus was available and there were starts for Arnold Matshazi, Dan Emovon and John Freeman.
The game started well with Bradley Bell’s cross from the right seeing a fine shot from Snelus and a good save, for a corner from Sam Bentley.
After this initial flurry, the Saints stepped up a pace with some good possession football, but the forays did not immediately turn into goal attempts.
There was eventually as headed effort that Horlock dived to save well and Snelus at the other end had his pockets picked at the vital moment. Horlock was called upon for a save from a shot from range, following a nervous bit of defending. Hamid and Fage were proving to be a bit of a threat for the Saints, but the opening goal came after just fifteen minutes and the scorer was Sean Jeffers
Hitchin won a free kick in an inviting area. Snelus launched the ball over the sentinel trees. Freeman was cautioned for shirt-pulling and the next Hitchin attack won a corner that was defended with ease.
Akanbi’s clever pass gave Jeffers another opportunity, which he could not exploit. Then Hitchin had two fine shots on goal in which Bentley distinguished himself with fine saves. Hitchin then had another free kick to crown this flurry of aggressive forward play. Galliford’s free kick hit the defensive wall but there was a further corner where it needed Syme to connect.
Bell, in exerting himself, fell to earth looking pained. Cue the drinks break whilst Bradley received the magic sponge. We resumed with a couple of promising forward moves from Hitchin that were well interpreted by the Saints’ defenders. The next Saints effort saw Ekanbi’s shot hit the side netting, from a good bit of build-up play. Galliford’s solo run won a free kick and a caution for a Saint- so here was yet another chance. Matshazi knocked in Tearle’s rebound but up went the offside flag. Shame.
Then Saints won a free kick in a similar area. Hamid’s shot went for a corner, which was defended. Two additional minutes were added. There was one promising attack from Hitchin in this time, but it broke down and Saints took their led intact to the interval. Bell was substituted by Dempsey Thomas.
We were pleased as the lads had given it a good go and tested the keeper a good few times. On a posh note, we noticed that our illustrious senior opponents all had their names on the back of their shirts, and it wasn’t in case they got lost in or around the ground.
Horlock made a fine save for a corner from a decent Akanbi shot and then he won a free kick that kept an attack going. They were getting a bit more of the ball, but James’ shot provided a poor finish. Their next effort was better, but Horlock was there to spoil it.
Then there was a Hitchin free kick and Galliford’s effort was palmed away by Bentley. Then Eadie pulled up lame, which caused some concern. He was replaced by Chris Khoo.
Then there was a truly fabulous goal when Jeffers scored his second. It was a beautiful lob, perfectly placed. His celebration matched the quality. The goal was timed at sixty- four minutes, thoroughly enjoyed by the Clarence Park faithful behind the goal.
The Saints were more or less in control at this point and Hamid’s shot stung Horlock’s gloves. Emovon’s cross was a good one but there was no-one to connect. Freeman went down with cramp and had the benefit of a Saint to stretch his leg. Decent chap that.
The Saints had by now made several substitutions and for Hitchin Joel Jolly made his debut. The hosts were stroking the ball around confidently with the ball spending more time in the Hitchin half. A third home goal looked imminent but did not come. Henry Silver replaced Galliford. There was a kerfuffle in the corner with Khoo booked for an over eager challenge. The free kick from James saw Partington hit the trees and retreat laughing. Well. There were but minutes to go, but six additional minutes were announced, which seemed very generous.
James sent a shot wide, but Saints continued to attack denying Hitchin any sustained possession and indeed the game ended, with the hosts going into the final against Potters Bar. The home side’s superiority was evident for much of this second half, where Hitchin seemed to face increased difficulty in contesting equally.
Both goals were good, particularly the second one. We are well pleased with Hitchin’s effort with a number of key first team players missing, but of course our hosts played a mixed squad as well. It was an enjoyable and thoroughly competitive throughout.
We return to Clarence Park in January for the Hertfordshire Senior Cup tie.
ST ALBANS CITY
Sam Bentley, Jack James, Sam Brown, (Charlie McDonald), Ben Smith, Shaun Jeffers, man of the match, TWO GOALS, 15 AND 64 MINUTES, (Mitchell Weiss), Joe Partington, captain, Emmanuel Harvest, Harun Hamid, (Ryan Blackman), Dylan Fage, cautioned, (Olu Lawal), Ibby Akanbi, (Dylan Joyce), George Hoddle.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, (Dempsey Thomas), Layne Eadie, (Chris Khoo), Stan Georgiou, Toby Syme, Dan Emovon, Kye Tearle, John Freeman, cautioned, (Joel Jolly), Jack Snelus, Isaac Galliford, (Henry Silver), Arnold Matshazi. Substitutes not used – Josh Mollison.GK.
Referee – Mr J Gibson, assisted by Mr T Frost and Mr N Angus.
Attendance 271
REPORT BY PIPEMAN