Hitchin Town 0-0 Rushall Olympic: Read Pipeman's report from Top Field as Burkey's Boys draw a blank

The first home game of the season saw the visit of the Pics, who showed strength in depth by reaching the play-offs last season, losing to Coalville Town, who also beat them on the opening day, writes Pipeman

A hard game was expected and if it was a tight game, it was an absorbing contest dominated by both defences, but thorough going entertainment was at a premium.

Many remembered the meeting at Rushall last season when skipper Dan Webb was the hero, scoring both goals in a 2-2 draw, the second right at the end of stoppage time. Today's game was less dramatic and whilst not the most exciting game we will see this season, it did show that Hitchin may well prove to be a lot more difficult to beat. Before the kick-off, there was a necessary alteration to Hitchin's line-up with Johnny Allotey replacing Steve Cawley and Josh Coldicott-Stevens thus added to the list of substitutions.

The Pics were expected to make a determined start and this they did. In an initial attack it needed a well-timed challenge from Malaki Black, albeit at the expense of a corner. Keith Lowe's effort from this was cleared and at the other end Tearle's hopeful cross was too strong for Lewis Barker to control. The next cross brought a corner that was dealt with comfortably and the counter attack by Olympic saw Sam Mantom's chance snuffed out by Horlock who smothered the ball close to his goal line.

Alex Fletcher gave the Pics some hope with his long throw tactic but these seemed to be anticipated by the Hitchin defence that showed that they could deal with this and the set pieces. There were some nervous moments but in general they avoided rash errors throughout the game. When a Fletcher long throw brought a corner, Horlock was up for grabs, so to speak and will be pleased with his clean sheet today.

The necessary cooling breaks, as they are known brought one cynical mark that they were almost as exciting as the play. My view is that there was a degree of caution, which was only partially dispensed with in the second half which saw a rise in the intensity of play. The long ball was tried without any real success and at times the midfield was the main part of the action. One break came just before a Hitchin free kick, where it seemed the momentum was lost and Gleeson fired this straight at Jacob Weaver.

There were fleeting moments of controversy after one or two tackles, but there was nothing that could be called malicious. The game called out for a goal, and towards the end of the half, Pics fell foul of a couple of off-sides.

Indeed, it was not hugely entertaining but tactically interesting – but even so play seemed to be governed by errant passing, inconclusive attacking moves and a vital spark of intuitive individual play was suppressed. One of the positive things was Hitchin's avoidance of conceding free-kicks in volatile areas. Late in the half, Tearle's free-kick was not the best but the Hitchin midfielder had an impromptu chance that Weaver read supremely. If that had been maximised we may well have had a very different game in the second half. Right at the end a Hitchin patent corner was essayed with Stan Georgiou's shot going wide and right on the whistle Jayden Campbell's shot was effectively blocked. Just on the whistle there was a 'freeze-frame' when Tearle was shaping for a shot that was prevented by the whistle.

The players had done well in this heat, and both teams employed all substitutes in the second period in an attempt to influence matters, but the pattern of the first period was largely replicated until sheer determination created more goal attempts – but not that many. Shorrock's cross for the Pics looked fine but Horlock was again there to eradicate the chance. A Gleeson free-kick was ably defended and Tearle's purposeful run was met with as timely challenge.

Fortune favoured the Canaries when, following a swift counter attack, Mantom's looping effort struck the foot of the post and that was the closest we had got to seeing as goals this far.The presence of Pics' substitute John Atherton injected a good deal of pace for the visitors on the left flank, with some admirable runs and crosses. Campbell had a shot on the run, but again Horlock was equal to it.

In a rare moment of seeming indecision, the Pics unnecessarily lost possession and a wayward defensive pass gave substitute Finley Wilkinson, scorers of the last minute winner against Barwell, a golden chance, with a one on one. He stormed forward with just the keeper to beat but his last touch was marginally too heavy and Weaver gratefully tidied up. That was Hitchin's best chance of the game. This miss might have been forgotten when Rio Dasilva had a clear chance on goal and he lofted the ball beyond the terracing.

Atherton continued to torment on the left but again final passes were ineffective. This was the sort of game where it was difficult to rule out a late winner and both teams seemed to have this in mind, but again, credit to both defences for astute prevention.

Some home fans were grumbling but this was a little unkind since the effort was there if not the final execution, and I feel that to gain four points from two games represents a confident start to the season, especially as Rushall have been mentioned as probable promotion candidates. But, being brutally honest, it was not the most memorable of encounters.

We now move to Tuesday and a game against a club with whom we have a score to settle. Yes – think of one of those end of season quiz questions, namely, which side are we yet to beat in a league game and it is Rushden and Diamonds, and it is at their place. Not easy of course, but a win there would be entirely welcome.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, Jack Green, (Delsin Ackom, 71), Malaki Black, Toby Syme, sponsors' Man of the Match, Stan Georgiou, Jack Morrell, Lewis Barker, Stephen Gleeson, Rio Dasilva, Johnny Allotey, (Finley Wilkinson, 63), Kye Tearle, (Sam Meakes, 86). Substitutes not used- Bradley Bell and Josh Coldicott-Stevens.

RUSHALL OLYMPIC

Jacob Weaver, Kristian Green, Reece Mitchell, Thomas Thorley, Keith Lowe, Sam Whithall, William Shorrock, (John Atherton, 67, Pics' star man), Samuel Mantom, Sam Moore, (Owen Parry,67), Alex Fletcher, Jayden Campbell, (Jourdain Nkalalambi Masisdi). Substitutes not used – Richard Batchelor, Aaron Harper-Bailey.

Referee- Mr Stuart Kyle, assisted by Mr Adam Jackson and Mr Dylan Ing.

Attendance 419

REPORT BY PIPEMAN