Report
It is always a pleasure to visit Wodson Park and Ware FC. The ground has been very well designed and is the focal point of a large sports complex and it has had a 3G pitch installed since my last visit. A hastily arranged training game had been arranged and we express our gratitude to our hosts for accommodating the fixture at short notice.
Hitchin needed to give some game time to a few players and thus an experimental team was fielded and I expect that it provided manager Mark Burke with some useful observations. In all seventeen players saw action, including two goal keepers.
We were indeed treated to a fast flowing and thoroughly entertaining game of increasingly competitive football that was indeed brought to life when the returning Lewis Barker fired the Canaries ahead after just four minutes, following an attack on the left. Barker’s firm shot found the bottom left corner. Hitchin had thus begun well and were playing some good stuff in this first half, with the hosts taking their time to claw their way into the game – which they did, and impressively.
We have missed Barker in the team and his play was lively and creative, as he soon provided a telling pass that drew a good save from the home keeper. Hitchin seemed rampant in the opening stages but this dissipated over time and credit is due to Ware for the way they increased their level of play and eventually, in the second half dominate proceedings.
Hutchinson, moving from left to centre had a pop that was somewhat wide and Ware’s best chance saw an off the line clearance from Stan Georgiou, who is enjoying every game in a good personal run of appearances. Ware forced two corners that were beaten away, and they failed to capitalise on two free-kicks in good positions, one bringing a fine save from Nathan Godfrey. Hitchin were defending their lead quite well but Ware were probing more and they had a good spell towards the end of the half.
Georgiou’s clever forward ‘dink’ needed the full attention of the goals keeper, but Hitchin were not permitted to encroach meaningfully, and an equaliser from Ware came right at the end of the half, following a corner, with the goal poached from close range. So it was level at the interval and the initiative was now with the hosts, who were made to work hard for this but they did it methodically and with some fine, flowing moves.
Inevitable substitutions were made, with Hitchin making five in the course of the second half, but this failed to make a major difference and it was now their turn to defend in depth. Dasilva had a decent shot saved, and it was Ware who were the more creative in attack with decent crosses from both flanks, and their pace was maintained.
Ware took the lead following a throw in that brought an inviting cross that was converted with emphasis and I must say was well deserved. Dasilva had another go that was saved and there followed an incident which in a competitive game would have resulted in a dismissal for the home keeper.
Kinoshi had connected with an exuberant and purposeful long clearance and was ahead of the defence and the goalie ‘took one for the team’ by bringing Kinoshi down. The referee issued a caution but the following free kick merely struck the defensive wall.
Hitchin did manage to get an equaliser though and it was due to a smart piece of work from Delsin Ackom who fed Kinoshi who evaded any challenger and slotted the ball home. We had ten minutes to go, but it was Ware who struck the winner three minutes later with a smart move from the right. Hitchin pushed, forcing a corner, and two promising moves were adjudged off-side.
Unusually in a friendly there was a disputatious moment, where players clustered around the referee with the usual exhortations and grievances and Rio Dalsilva was cautioned. In the time remaining Kinoshi had a good chance to equalise but put his effort over the bar. The late pressure was unsuccessful and Ware prevailed. It was a fine game and a pleasure to watch.
We thank Ware for their hospitality and wish them well in their promotion push.
Hitchin now face the daunting task of facing second placed Coalville away on Saturday.
HITCHIN TOWN
Godfrey, Ackom, Triallist, Gleeson, Webb, Georgiou, Tearle, Barker, GOAL 4 minutes, Hutchinson, Dasilva, Kinoshi, GOAL 80 minutes.
Substitutions – Green. Allotey, Papalonga, Bunga, Black, Desai, GK.
Not used – Horlock ,Coldicott-Stevens.
No details available for Ware. Goals scored in 45, 70 and 83 minutes.
REPORT BY PIPEMAN