Report
Arriving at Rowley Park is a distinct pleasure.it is a fine stadium with a magnificent pitch and the hospitality is always notable. This latest friendly looked as if it would be keenly contested, given the Huntingdonshire side’s desire to show they are determined to return to a level concomitant with their infrastructure. They are currently at level five and hope to improve in this in the coming season.
There was no team sheet supplied so I hope that allowances will be made for my lack of knowledge of player’ names. I must say that I was disappointed with the current Saints kit, with the Oxford and Cambridge blue quarters sacrificed for an unimpressive sky-blue kit. Being a traditionalist always brings disappointment.
Away we went with an immediate home attack that brought a header that Forster had to dive to save. This occurred at the other end when Lewis Barker had a free header that was well saved by the home keeper. Jhai Dhillon’s neat pass brought a shooting opportunity that was held again by the Saints’ keeper.
The sprightly home number eleven had a run o n the left that was left completely unfulfilled and Rio Deall, overzealous in the challenge, conceded a free kick that was dangerous but again unfulfilled. A home corner was taken short, and number ten fired one in that Forster palmed away from danger. There was an overhead effort tried by a Saint with obvious aspirations, but the connection was lacking if the intent was not.
Ciaren Jones won a free kick wide on the left and this ended up being hooked over the crossbar. Jones was there again, winning a corner for
the visitors and the effort favoured the home keeper. Then there was a Hitchin shot following a cunningly executed throw- in but again the home keeper was alert. We had played twenty minutes and exchanges had been even.
Rio Deall’s excellent low cross brought a shot that was good, but it failed to deceive the keeper. A home free kick needed a hoofed clearance and a quick counterattack ended disappointingly in the concession of a free kick to the opposition.
Then a great chance for Hitchin saw a lob destined for the net and a remarkable clearance from the line which took the sting out of the attack. At the other end there was a similar move which brought the opening goal scored by their number eight Michael Amishikay, which I have no doubt spelt incorrectly. I simply heard the announcement. It was scored after thirty – five minutes and greeted enthusiastically by the home contingent. They almost had cause to greet a second goal moments later and it was denied them by an intervening boot from Forster.
This the proceedings were enlivened with the onus on Hitchin to improve their game and make the most of the several chances they had created.
One such chance was spoilt by a full back and the corner from Deall saw a glancing header that evaded completion. One Saints attack saw the offside eluded and the centre forward had a free shot which hit the foot of the post and went into the arms of a slightly surprised Forster. The hosts ought to have been two up and they continued to exploit space for the remainder of this entertaining half.
There was a chance, following a Hitchin free kick but again the home keeper was equal to it. This was the last action before the interval. I thank our vice chairman Paul Sprague for supplying details of the Hitchin team,
The second half began with an immediate chance for the hosts that needed a good save from Forster. There were three Hitchin substitutions, Callan in goal, Dreyer and Hall. Dhillon’s perfect cross from the left brought a headed equaliser after forty-eight minutes and the scorer was Substitute Jack Dreyer. It looked easy but it was overdue, and still enjoyable.
Ciaren Jones was performing his defensive duties with a world-weary grimace. There was many a grimace when, from a superb move on the right the hosts missed an open goal, which seems inexcusable given the space and time available. Toxtle- Bell had joined the fray by this time.
A home corner was partially defended but the following attack was disappointing. Some subsequent play by both teams was imprecise with languid passes. A Hitchin free kick was of negligible worth. Dhillon was booked for simulation but persisted in argument, with words that fell on deaf ears. Callan needed to recover from a near fumble and a succession of fouls needed a more authoritative stance from the referee. The game seemed to exhibit the belief that there is no such thing as a friendly match.
Hall missed from a fair chance and the home goalkeeper saved notably from a corner. Brooks tried a shot that went just wide, and it was clear that Hitchin felt that a win for them was lurking.
Two more Hitchin substitutions were made, and there were two good chances for the hosts that were adequately defended. Hall and Vincent were now busily amidst proceedings. Hitchin forward play seemed a little laborious, but the crosses went in, nevertheless.
There remained about a quarter of an hour, marked by a blocked Hitchin shot and a promising g effort adjudged offside. Play had become strenuous in the closing stages. There was a headed effort from Hall that lacked direction and pace, but Hitchin seemed to have an edge that was not translated into proper goal opportunities.
The game ended in a draw, with both teams likely to think that they deserved to win – they certainly played with the desired intensity. It was another solid performance from the Hitchin squad, bearing in mind that their opponents contest matches at level five. As the pre-season games progress towards the opening of the season proper, we have a good idea of the players’ potential and it is clear that Brett Donnelly is determined to surround himself with players of real commitment.
Next up is the amalgamated club of Edgware and Kingsbury this coming Friday.
The HITCHIN TOWN squad today was –
Forster, Deall, Dhillon, Rolfe, Sears, Jones, Barker, Forbes, Bush, Devine, Brooks.
Substitutes- Thomas, Callan, GK, Dreyer, GOAL, 1-1 48 minutes, Toxtle- Bell, Vincent, Hall, Ntege.
No details of officials or attendance given.