Report
Hitchin returned to Clarence Park to contest the Hertfordshire Senior Cup, second round, following the unsuccessful visit in the Charity Cup towards the end of last year. It was a bitterly cold night and that in itself would have affected the attendance, and, speaking of which, it is pleasant to report that St Albans attracted 3,600 spectators to their Boxing Day derby with Hemel Hempstead. With the Saints knocking at the play-offs for the Conference, these are good days, and we wish them well.
Hitchin kicked off and play was brisk with Ryan Blackman poised to shoot and was neatly denied, but these early signs showed vulnerabilities. An early foray for Hitchin along the left was neatly undone. Galliford’s pass to Matshazi needed exploiting, but the latter failed to do so.
Then a swift attack alongside right from the Saints and a perfect low cross and a well-taken ninth minute goal from Akanbi. Hitchin reacted well nod John Freeman’s shot needed a save from Johnson.
Two successive free kicks for Hitchin gave a possibility, but Carlyle’s clearance was emphatic. A replicated move of the early goal was foiled by Hitchin. Good work from Bell and Galliford led to a half chance and not the claimed corner. Hitchin were pleasingly competitive at this stage.
In a good Hitchin move, Matshazi netted, fully aware that the offside flag would be raised. Bell’s cross was too close to Johnson. His opposite number, Horlock, made an excellent save following a good counter move.
Galliford, who had showed excellent touches took a free kick, but the move was adequately defended. He had a shot next but hit it too high. Johnson held the next cross – but Hitchin’s pressure was impressive.
Hoddle was allowed a free run-on goal and his pass to Jeffers saw the latter make it two- nil to the Saints. It was a clinical finish after thirty-two minutes. Hamid then won a free kick in a central position, and this led to a third goal after thirty-seven minutes. The scorer was Jeffers, whose personal tally was two in this now one-sided looking game.
We had a delay following Akanbi’s injury, but not that much time was added on. Well, it was freezing. Matshazi was fouled and a late free kick from Galliford won a corner, which came to nothing and that was the end of the half. It seemed effectively over as a contest, with a chilly half to greet through for Hitchin who needed to play for pride against their senior opponents. The Saints were stroking the ball around, feeling comfortable with their three-goal margin.
Jeffers had a chance of a hat trick but his header cleared the bar, but won a corner. This was cleared and led to a move on the break and a decent shot from substitute Tommy Blennerhassett , who had also been joined by Ryan Sellers. Tearle’s quick movement from defender saw a fair forward pass that was well anticipated. The came the fourth goal, and yes, it was a hat-trick from Jeffers. I made it about fifty-six minutes. It was a rout, but it is a bit of an unkindness to describe it as so as there hard been some good, inventive moments from Hitchin, without really threatening Johnson’s goal.
Saints made substitutes where the numbers on shirts did not entirely match the team sheet but, no matter. There was a shot from Cotter, on target but comfortable for Johnson. Matshazi tried to thread one through for Blennerhassett but it was easily intercepted. It was one of relatively few chances this half for Hitchin.
Banton had a chance for Saints but the effort was deflected for a throw-in. then came the best goal of the game, scored in spectacular fashion by Gauthier with a perfect overhead kick from a headed pass. Saints alive, what a score line, and there were still about ten minutes to go.
Joel Jolly completed the substitutions for Hitchin as Saints pressed for yet another goal. This came when Jeffers scored his fourth goal of the evening to make the gulf between the respective Leagues look enormous. It ended, mercifully, and it was a bit of a drubbing, but that is what happens occasionally. I must say we did a bit better in the Charity Cup game.
ST ALBANS CITY
Michael Johnson, Ben Smith, Ryan Blackman, captain, Shaun Jeffers, man of the match, FOUR GOALS,32, 37, 55, 84 MINUTES, Harun Hamid, Dylan Fage, Nathan Carlyle, Ibby Akanbi, GOAL, 9 MINUTES, Kieran Gautier, GOAL,80 MINUTES, George Hoddle, Olu Lawal.
SUBSTITUTES USED -Gio Rasulo, ZaneBanton, Mitchell Weiss, Dylan Joyce, Luca Cardines.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Dan Emovon, Toby Syme, Kai Tearle, Stan Georgiou, Arnold Matshazi, Kav Cotter, Jack Snelus, Isaac Galliford, John Freeman. Substitutes used- Tommy Blennerhassett, Joel Jolly, Ryan Sellars, Chris Khoi. Not used – Josh Mollison,GK
Referee- Mr Matthew Norton, assisted by two gentleman whose names are not on the team sheet. Apologies.
Attendance TBC
REPORT BY PIPEMAN