Hitchin Town 1-0 Welwyn GC: Report by Pipemen, photographs by Peter Else

If anything, this narrow win does pay a kind of homage to the tenacious play of the visitors, who having kept the score down to 1-0 with a magnificent penalty save, sought the equaliser to the very last kick of the game, which was Round one of the Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup.

And a good game it was, too, with end-to-end stuff and a pleasant diversity of play, with the eventual winner being a most worthy goal headed home sublimely by the diligent Ashley Hay. Interestingly both keepers were captains, both called Charlie, and our own Charlie 'Leather lungs' Horlock could be plainly heard from the kick off barking out instructions and advice.

The game begun at a good pace that was fully sustained and an early chance was presented to Hay after a long throw, but this was hooked over the crossbar. A free kick from Welwyn's Dearman was held by Horlock. The Citizens certainly believed in getting in the crosses and it did look as though they had a goal in them – but the only goal of the game came after thirteen minutes when an accurate cross from Kye Tearle enabled Hay to head the Canaries into a lead they did not forsake – but it was a very close thing.

The Hitchin defence was kept busy as the visitors encroached time and again into the penalty area, with follow-up play from crosses begged for a better finish than Joe Russell's meek shot, but a header from Luc Acherman-Stanfield was as close as it looked. Apart from some hasty clearances Hitchin looked fairly comfortable and it was good to see Lewis Barker back in the team after his suspension. He did get booked later and one is tempted to hyphenate his name in the team list as Lewis Barker-Cautioned.

Tearle, taking corners in the absence of the rested Stephen Gleeson, sent in a 'patent' and it did enable Jack Snelus to have a go, but the effort cleared the bar. An eager Lewis Franklin sent in a cross for Welwyn that was ably defended by Toby Syme, who was very sure-footed tonight. Carlos Flood may count himself unfortunate not to add his name to the scoresheet, being denied by a magnificent save by Horlock at full stretch. Dearman's corner was defended as was the next cross by Flood and then Ryan Doherty headed only just wide.

A long ball out of defence saw Hitchin players scampering forward and our attention was drawn to assistant's flag that was being waved in an indicative manner. The referee hesitated momentarily but then awarded Hitchin a penalty. I was unsure of the offence but was later told that the kick was awarded for some 'tactical' shirt pulling. It was only a few minutes to half-time and we thought that a two-goal lead would indeed give us a comfort break insofar as it would have set the eager visitors back further than was desirable.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens was elected to take the kick and he struck it well enough, but Charlie Crowther was more than equal to it it ensured a degree of tension for the remainder of the match. Shortly after the save Ryan Doherty fired one in which Horlock turned for a corner. Desarman's spirited run-in possession lost its momentum, but it did bring another corner, which was defended by Snelus. Right at the end of the half there was a further chance for Hitchin, who were awarded a free kick just outside the area.

Tearle's shaped up for this but sent it too high, and the hosts were forced to be content with the slender lead. The last time these teams met at Top Field in this competition, it ended in a 1-1 draw and Hitchin eased through on penalties. It did cross our minds that unless a second goal was forthcoming soon, that full-time score might be replicated, and the lottery of penalties would bring its usual agonies and ecstasies.

Clearly the penalty miss had made matters more difficult and the Citizens did all but score in the second period, attacking with alertness and employing counter moves that ensured both Horlock and his defence were kept busy. Hitchin brought on Rio Dasilva for Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, and the former was eager to impress, and he was soon involved in creative play, with bustling tackles and some improved ball control.

A Tearle free-kick, wide on the left was defended as was Dearman's searching effort. Dasilva's assistance enabled Barker to try a header, which went wide. Harvey Steel was adept at getting crosses in with varied effect, and Dearman tried the same. Again I thought that this pugnacious team might snatch an equaliser as they never ceased to push. – even sending their goalie up for the late, late corners.

Tearle tried another 'patent' corner, which was cleared and in a good spell, Welwyn forced two successive corners that favoured the Hitchin defence. Tearle optimistically tried a long-range punt, but it was well wide. Lewis Franklin was just off-target with his header and Joe Sutton's effort was blocked, and Horlock was there to gather up the follow up. Substitute Max Jessop's header was close to bagging the equaliser as the Citizens plugged away relentlessly, knowing that a goal would provide them with the initiative. Snelus gave way to Allotey, another player who wishes to prove a point, and JCS gave way to Leon Chambers-Parillon.

Cheyce Grant typified the visitors' earnestness with some good combination play with Jessore and Steel, but a corner was the scant reward. Yes, there were one or two scrappy moments and some almost half-hearted bravado, but all credit goes to the visitors for making Hitchin work very hard indeed for the win. Yes, that penalty, had it gone in might havent altered the complexion of the game and I think I can say safely that Hitchin just deserved the win, but there were plenty of nervous moments.

I think many were pleased that the game did not require a penalty shoot-out and overall, it had been an absorbing contest, with Hitchin going into the hat for the next round draw, knowing they had to maintain full concentration.

We wish Welwyn all the best for their campaign in Division One Central. As I was leaving the ground I espied one Callum Stead, who had been an interested spectator of the match, having served both clubs with distinction in previous seasons.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, captain, Kye Tearle, Callum Kane, Toby Syme, Stan Georgiou, Malaki Black, Lewis Barker, cautioned, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, (Leon Chambers-Parillon, Ashley Hay, tonight's star man, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, (Rio Dasilva), Jack Snelus, (Johnny Allotey). Substitutes not used- Bradley Bell and Alfie Warman.

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

Charlie Crowley, captain, Harvey Steel, Lewis Franklin, (Karl Kayembe), Ryan Doherty, cautioned, Joe Russell, Jason Beck, cautioned, Joe Sutton, (Matty Newman), Luc Acherman- Stanfield, (Max Jessop), Cheyce Grant, Carlos Flood, Joe Dearman. Substitutes not used- Jamie Smith and Gavin Hinds-Cadette.

Referee- Mr S Bryan, assisted by Mr M Mellor and Mr P Evans.

Attendance 231

REPORT BY PIPEMAN