Report
Hitchin travelled to Staffordshire on a wing and a prayer, hoping to halt the sequence of defeats and, most importantly to climb away from the basement position in the League table. This fixture had been postponed owing to the fuel crisis, along with many other matches that night. Predictably this was referred to with caustic irony by one or two home supporters, but they reserved their especial criticism for the officials, since as the game went on the frustration grew.
It was, I suppose, generally expected that there would be a slaughter at the Lamb Ground, but, as at Hednesford, the Canaries, in magenta again, raised their game and battled to a point. Yes, they were under considerable pressure at times and Charlie Horlock played magnificently, making crucial saves both from set pieces and open play.
Do not think that this was just a square-jawed defensive display as Hitchin had several moments where they may have snatched a surprise lead and indeed late attacks almost saw an audacious winner. Stan Georgiou was called upon to start owing to an injury to skipper Dan Webb and his performance was a memorable one, with his reading of the and skilful application to duty.
The artificial pitch gave a bit of zip to the game, and after making a confident start by Hitchin it was clear that they were in no mood to allow the run of defeats to continue. Again their play was direct and positive and there was soon a chance provided for Callum Stead whose deflected shot was saved, as was their next effort, a low shot from Luke Brown.
For the hosts Dexter Walters had a good run in possession, but his finish was poor. A following combination between Forde and Walters was cleared with crisp defending, which became a hallmark of Hitchin’s performance. If an opportunity came their way, it was seized; such as when Rio Dasilva received a loose ball from the Lambs’ poor clearance, and he turned and fired, which the keeper seemed to push out of play via the post, but a goal kick was given.
At the other end Alex Brown thwarted a Tamworth forward move and Stan Georgiou was relieved that his defensive flick was held by Horlock. Tamworth keeper Jasbir Singh made a muddled clearance and this enabled Luke Brown to try a surprise shot but Singh recovered. Jack Concannon began a move on the left but this was well intercepted.
The was a setback for Hitchin after twenty-eight minutes when Kye Tearle, whose contribution had been full-blooded, went down injured and he needed to be replaced by Elliot Kettle who made a praiseworthy debut. After the substitution there was an increase in the pace from Tamworth whose supporters clearly wanted them to see off their opponents, but he pace was abruptly halted when Yeomans fouled Marsh and received a caution. Hitchin conceded a caution and the players grouped tightly and held up matters with the usual pushing and shoving. Beswick’s cunning inswinger saw a glancing header from McDonald, but the pace of the ball prevented accuracy.
Concannon’s fine through ball to Walters saw Horlock down bravely to save. A Hitchin free-kick in the attacking half saw Alex Brown pick out Dasilva who won a corner. This enabled a shot from Stead that was defended and then Luke Brown headed just over the bar. Henri Wilder went on a wild solo run and was doing very well until he was intercepted by Marsh. A Hitchin free-kick at about thirty yards caused little or no problem. Concannon’s run in possession was halted and, with Kettle fouled by the corner flag on the right, Dasilva’s cross saw Luke Brown fire into the crowded penalty area.
A Tamworth counter attack involving Wilder and Concannon was halted but there was a fair shot from Walters that went wide. The interval soon came and travelling supporters had every reason to feel generally satisfied. In no way had the team been overawed and the tendency to give away free-kicks in dangerous areas had been largely avoided. Forward play had been positive, with Stead and Brown eager to sniff out a chance. We could have done with more shots on target, but the hosts had not excelled in this department. We knew that the second half would see a more concerted effort from the hosts, as it was clear from the reaction of supporters that it was expected that they should win by a decent margin – but I suspect this was not one of their better performances.
As the second half progressed it was clear that there was a degree of frustration at botched efforts but also at the skilful defiance shown by Charlie Horlock who must have gone through his entire repertoire. It was not, however, all one way traffic. Hitchin had their chances and there were some composed and thoughtful passing moves on going forward. A long defensive clearance from Hitchin saw Stead gallop to connect but he was just beaten to the ball. There was a cross from the diligent Akubuine (another notable performance), that saw Stead give a deft flick on the ball with his heel that went wide.
We were somewhat relieved to see McDonald’s volley land on the roof of the net and then a cross from Stead was headed clear. There were important defensive interventions from the outstanding Ciaren Jones and Akubuine. An awkward bounce saw Horlock surprised by a snap shot but he reacted instinctively at the expense of a corner. This brought one of those dramatic goal mouth scrambles where the outcome is always uncertain. It favoured Hitchin and in the next Lambs attack Forde was castigated by his own supporters for opting to make the lesser pass. Horlock was still called upon for a variety of stops and he was kept busy. Marsh sliced one wide for Hitchin who needed to clear their lines just to have a bit of a breather. In front of us, a small number of home fans directed scathing remarks at the Hitchin team, the officials, their own team, and away officials in that order. Remarks about our having enough fuel to get home were thrown in from time to time. We were amused at that as well as supporters on the other side of the ground counting how long it took for a throw-in or a goalkeeper clearance.
I can well understand the home frustration since Hitchin coping and showed no signs of weakening, but I do confess some anxiety when a free-kick was conceded, you know, in THAT area, the place where goals have been conceded and all the good work outdone. Not so on this occasion. Thankfully and the ball was fired straight at Horlock. In a question of contain or concede, it was the former, and impressively so.
Frustration was shown by the hosts, when a move broke down and there was a quick counter move by Hitchin involving Luke Brown, Dasilva and Marsh, but the cross was too close to Singh. Horlock saved bravely at the feet of Lambs’ substitute Micheal Taylor, and then there was another chance for Stead following a cross from Alex Brown, but this was defended and back came the hosts again, determined to break through the Hitchin defence. They forced corners, encroached into the penalty area, but each time they were outwitted cleanly if a little nervously.
A breakaway by Hitchin saw Dasilva at pace but shooting over the bar and at the other end, following a Lambs’ attack, Alex Brown cleared off the line. Akubuine was cautioned by for what is known as a ‘professional foul’. Horlock continued to outwit those firing in shots, looking for the slightest gap. Luke Brown won a free-kick right on the ‘D’. A set piece, with possibilities? Yes and no as Brown had two goes, hitting the defensive wall on both efforts. Kettle saw his fine shot saved by Singh. In another counter move, Alex Brown was wide with a wild shot. McDonald’s creditable effort was foiled by Marsh, Concannon blasted wide. The home pressure continued, somewhat alleviated by clearances that were often gathered by Luke Brown or Stead, and they proceeded to eat up seconds by making a nuisance of themselves up front.
Horlock’s injury drew hoots of derision, since it was seen as time-wasting. Once back on his feet he was called upon to make two successive and vital saves. Alex Brown cleared the bar with his effort but as we approached the end of normal time Hitchin constructed a chance or two that could well have snatched an audacious lead.`Dasilva came close and Jones was there with a vital defensive interception, and this led to a chance for Stead, that was thwarted, as was his effort right at the end, but it was close. This was in the ninety-third minute when Cawley made a cameo appearance as a substitute.
Hitchin prevailed and thus a valuable point was gained and the run of defeats halted. It had been a difficult game in some ways but defending was admirable and a real team spirit on show. Tamworth had pressed hard, particularly in the second half, but I cannot think that they were at their best. Pre-season favourites for promotion they are adrift at present in ninth place. A point for Hitchin, welcome as it is still leaves them anchored at the bottom of the table and needing to gather maximum points in future games, which in this league is proving no easy task.
One step at a time and tonight’s game was, really, a great stride in the right direction. Praise is due for the way the team coped under pressure but also how they relieved this with forward moves at every opportunity. I think it is the
best we have played since the fine draw at Hednesford, and like in that game, a surprise win is not an outlandishly optimistic statement.
Leiston are next, and it is at Top Field in the F A Trophy. Then on the Sunday is the Generation cup which is about 1871 and all that.
TAMWORTH
Jasbir Singh, Lucas Yeomans, cautioned, Henri Wilder, Ryan Beswick, Martin Riley, (Christopher Cox, 53), Ben Hart, Shaquille McDonald, cautioned, Aaron Forde, Tyrell Waite, Jack Concannon, Dexter Walters, (Micheal Taylor, 60).
Unused substitutes: Bradley Birch, Callum Cockerill- Mollett and Michael Tait-Moran.
HITCHIN TOWN
Charlie Horlock, man of the match, Dan Akubuine, cautioned, Alex Brown, Lawrie Marsh, Stanley Georgiou, Ciaren Jones, Matthew Moloney, Kye Tearle, (Elliot Kettle, 28), Callum Stead, Luke Brown, (Stephen Cawley, 93), Rio Dasilva.
Unused substitutes: Dan Webb and Malaki Black.
REFEREE: Mr A Ellis, assisted by Mr J Sudbury and Mr N Gray.
ATTENDANCE: 547
REPORT BY PIPEMAN