Hitchin Town 2-0 Alvechurch: Read Pipeman's report as Mark Burke's Canaries clinch heartening victory on opening day at Top Field

It is always special when the pre-season is finally concluded, with all the substitutes and deliberately anonymous trialists, one team one team playing one half and newish squad hopefuls the next. One becomes impatient for the real start to the season, and it was greeted today with Alvechurch the visitors.

Predicting a result against The Church is difficult as we have tended either beat them with a significant score or they see us off with the same emphatic margin. Good news for Hitchin was the re-signing of both Ashley Hay and Daniel Idiakhoa, both being on the bench at commencement.

Steady rain had fallen but the sun did manage to get his hat on, but this was no early fixture to be watched in shirt sleeves, it being cool and very damp.

So, this was a game to whet the appetite but not to satiate it just yet. The visitors, all in white had a huddle as if in prayer and the Canaries were aware of expectations since much has been made of squad retention and engendered club spirit.

The Church almost drew first blood with a decent shot from Mackenzie Lamb, the ball striking Horlock's legs. These opening minutes saw Hitchin forced to defend and the next item was an Alvechurch free kick from the right that needed Horlock's intervention which brought some curious dissent, quickly dealt with by the referee.

My expectation of a hectic pace was not yet in evidence, and Horlock had again the need to cut out a cunning through ball to Joshua Dugmore. Ethan Patterson had the dubious honour of being cautioned, with the Hitchin free kick going astray. Subtle or imposing play from a Hitchin was taking its time. Errant passing was a feature.Then, opportunely, Galliford managed the first shot, which went wide but was a good effort nonetheless.

Then Yaw Nantwi- Ofusu was cautioned for a rash challenge, with Eadie taking the free kick, which goalkeeper Dale Eve held well. Horlock held another shot and one has to say that the visitors looked composed and dangerous going forward. Numerous free kicks had slackened the pace a little, but it was The Church who seemed to pick it up, and Jaansi Gordon had a shot that shook the side netting.

Denied any sustained possession , Hitchin looked for ideas and a low shot from Kav Cotter raised the temperature a little. Kobe Chong became the third player cautioned which seems an inordinate number after just half an hour. Dugmore's shot was on target and Horlock was there, and by far the busier keeper.

Cassidy, with tricky play, won a corner for Alvechurch. This was defended, but the visitors still went forward with admirable intent. Galliford combined with Wilkinson but this move was quietly dealt with. Hitchin needed to raise their game but were competently prevented from doing so, which was a little alarming as we headed towards the interval. Cassidy managed a cross that Horlock had to smother. There were just three added minutes and in that time Nantwi- Ofosu received a second yellow and he was dismissed for a challenge he simply could not justify.

Just how much this would alter the tenor of the game remained to be seen. Dissent was in the air, with Alvechurch officials not disguising their discontent concerning the referee's decisions hitherto. The new FA directives were certainly having an effect. I just hoped that Hitchin would play better and might be able to exploit their numerical advantage. Then Dugmore received a caution and the simmering discontent was in the air.

Then, from a free kick, Hitchin snatched the lead courtesy of a fine strike from Jack Snelus. So, a goal from a set piece and now a decided advantage for the hosts who still needed more from open play. A cross from Dyer saw Toby Syme clear close to goal and Alvechurch had a corner cleared, but they attacked again with Syme conceding the corner, which was wasted. Galliford nipped in with a half chance and the defending was assured.

The game still retained its ponderous nature, which was a little surprising. Snelus had a shot deflected favourably for the keeper and at the other end the visitors won a corner, punched clear by Horlock. The ten men were playing with belief. Freitas Gouveia replaced Galliford and the former had a shot that just cleared the bar.

Bell got an attack going and Gouveia won a corner that seemed too intricate to be effective. Then Gouveia was cautioned for kicking the ball away, always a cheap and unnecessary caution. Two Hitchin moves were adjudged offside and from a tackle there was considerable ill feeling. Then Gleeson gave way to Idiakhoa. Play continued to be scrappy, with a bright moment coming with a chance for Idiakhoa, snuffed out resolutely. Tearle replaced Jones who had been under some pressure, and then,with seventy odd minutes gone, Finley Wilkinson's header doubled the home advantage. Idiakhoa combined with Wilkinson but the shot was weak, and it was clear that the second goal ought to create some comfort.

Alvechurch had a free kick, centrally in a shooting position, but it was wastefully blasted over the bar. Lewis Barker received his customary booking and I know he will think it harsh, as he always does. The Church made their full quota of substitutions but it felt too late to be effective with only about ten minutes to go, and lord knows how much additional time there would be under these new directives.

Snelus has a breakaway run but only won a corner, which was defended for another. This brought a goal chance that went astray, but Hitchin were now pressing. Wilkinson had a run and a defender needed to head close to the line for a home corner with Idiakhoa shooting against the side netting. There were six additional minutes announced, when more were expected. Snelus seized onto a loose ball but his shot was blocked.

Gouveia set up Idiakhoa with a free shot that won a corner, held by Eve. But now it was all up for The Church who probably trooped off to the dressing room wondering how they had lost when they had played so well, especially in a commanding first half.

I will not say that it was relief rather than elation that greeted the final whistle, but I will say that it did not feel like a win in the ordinary sense, as Hitchin were way below their best, yet battled through and won the points.

From this debut home win there now follow two successive away games, at Long Eaton United, new to our division, and there is an evening trip to Suffolk to take on Needham Market. Both games are challenging in their own way and hope Hitchin can adapt to the demands that are sure to follow.

So, to sum up, today saw the appetite whetted but not satiated, and whatever we say a win is a win is a win.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, (Kye Tearle), Lewis Barker, cautioned, Sponsors' man of the match, Kavan

Cotter, Stephen Gleeson, (Daniel Idiakhoa), Jack Snelus, GOAL, 47 MINUTES, Isaac Galliford, ( Diogo Freitas Gouveia – cautioned), Finley Wilkinson, GOAL, 73 MINUTES.

Substitutes not used – Stan Georgiou and Ashley Hay.

ALVECHURCH

Dale Eve, Ben Cassidy, Ammar Dyer, Mackenzie Lamb, (Nkanni Akinwe), Yaw Nantwi- Ofusu, dismissed after receiving two yellows cards, Ethan Patterson, cautioned, (James Spiers), Joshua Dugmore, captain, cautioned, Kobe Chong, cautioned, Jaanai Gordon, Jack Concannon, Kai Adan George, (Harvey Randle).

Other substitute – Shay Willock.

Referee Mr. Jack Shepherd, assisted by Mr Paul Mihalache and Mr Mark Bright.

Attendance 438

REPORT BY PIPEMAN