Hitchin Town 2-2 Redditch Town: Report by Pipeman, photographs by Peter Else

The 'phew, what a scorcher' weather seemed to give the illusion of a pre-season friendly, and indeed I felt a degree of sympathy for the players, who would be contesting today's league encounter.

It was originally an away fixture but altered by agreement. With a further home game on Monday and a home FA Cup game against AFC Sudbury, followed by yet another home fixture against Barwell, it seems a while since we have been on the road.

The Reds came to Top Field undefeated in their three away matches and they were placed nicely in fourth place, whereas Hitchin were looking for their first win since mid-August. What transpired was Hitchin's first draw of the season and Redditch's undefeated away record still intact.

The home team was much as expected and I think that much was expected of them inasmuch as a return to form was overdue.

There was nothing lethargic about the start which saw some eager running. The first suggestion of a breakthrough saw an offside decision. The travelling supporters made some noise as if to remind us that this was an important league game. Their team won a corner which saw an infringement and a free kick was taken for Hitchin, with the ball going up field and Eadie trying to connect with a cross.

Gleeson, having received a fine pass from Bell tried his usual shot at this stage, and like the last effort it was nicely struck but cleared the crossbar. Then, at the other end, an uncharacteristic mistake from Horlock was patched up but it led to another chance for the Reds.

Ideas at this stage were not exactly plentiful, and the long ball was not eschewed. The trouble was that when the ball was put into space, no-one was there to continue the move. When Idiakhoa cheekily robbed an opponent of possession in the penalty area he appeared to be brought down but he did not dispute the referee's clear indication that the player could go whistle for a penalty.

There was the prearranged drinks break, which of course was sensible and necessary. The difficulty of playing in such conditions was plain to see but it would have been nice to have seen a bit more goal action. Idiakhoa and Gouveia were showing some urgency and Wilkinson seemed to be plotting an incursion that would not be anticipated. Redditch, however, were adept at seizing possession and their close passing was better.

Then in a bizarre moment, Ciaren Jones, in an attempt at a defensive header back to Charlie Horlock, suffered the indignity of notching up his second own goal of the season, with a clear lack of communication. We were three minutes short of the half hour, with plenty of time to atone for the error.

A Hitchin corner was cleared with gusto and Idiakhoa's fine pass to Bell begged for a shot that was prevented. The Redditch supporters were in good voice and then, on thirty-three minutes there was a fine finish from Gouveia who snatched the equaliser, which pleased us but there was the feeling that the team should be ahead instead of drawing owing to a comprehensive mistake.

The game seemed to liven up after both goals. Bell and Cotter combined but the Redditch defence nullified the move. The eager Bell intercepted a pass and sought Gouveia who only won a corner, which was shaken short, and then Gouveia had a low shot well saved by Harrison. Wilkinson's persistence won another and in a flowing move there was a reverse pass to Kye Tearle who was clearly delighted with his low shot finish. So, the Canaries were ahead and clearly asking the questions as we approached the end of the half. Tearle's super finish was timed at about forty-one minutes and a mere three minutes were added to the half that only came to life when a goal had been scored.

The drama was not yet over since, in time added on, a rash challenge from Ciaren Jones conceded a penalty, which was taken successfully by Reece Flanagan.

The whistle went immediately afterwards and the Redditch chairman, passing by to the board room said. 'You can quote me if you like, but that was never a penalty.' That was interesting, since home supporters sitting near me were of the opinion that a penalty decision was justified.

I was sitting at the other end and cannot comment with any authority but I listened to those who explained why the decision might have been incorrect, but needless to say, there is only one referee.

So it was 2-2 at the interval and the feeling was that Hitchin had been rather profligate once they had their noses in front. They began the second half in earnest with Bradley Bell showing his usual intent, as was Gouveia who won a corner which he took himself, but defence was stern from Redditch.

Galliford replaced Gouveia and once again Bell provided a fine cross that was defended a little awkwardly. They constructed a move or two but could not exploit Horlock spilling the ball, with no foul given. Then a Redditch free kick saw Horlock save well, but the flag had been raised. Wilkinson had a cunning shot that did not deceive but it was end to end stuff now with a good pace, interrupted by the drinks break.

Danny King had a fine opportunity but dragged his free shot wide. The game was thus finely poised, with the feeling that the next goal might well be the winner. Smart defending from Cotter denied Adriel George at the expense of a corner, which was a fine in swinging hit but over hit.

A Hitchin free kick was greeted ironically as some left over dissatisfaction over previous decisions from the referee, in particular the penalty. George, on an incursion won a corner defended by Eadie whose header took its toll, clearly giving him a headache, gaining no sympathy from the away ultras who claimed that it was ' football in a library,' which was perhaps a little too cynical.

On came Georgiou replacing the influential Bell as Redditch put in another free kick that Horlock grasped almost indignantly. Jones tried one from distance that was held by the keeper who neatly foiled the next chance. Smart defending from Georgiou enabled a counter move that was pushed back.

Wilkinson's shot in the run was straight at the keeper. Beating the offside, there was another corner for the visitors which was wasted. With little more action of significance, the match thus ended in a draw and I suppose that statistically we were due a draw, the first of the season. Fair enough, you might say, but as well as the significant quotation from the Redditch chairman, my later discussion of the penalty decision with the match referee brought the following utterance.

'I was the only person in the ground who thought it was a penalty.' Well, there you are – and he is the referee and he had to make a decision in real time. There is no point in saying 'we woz robbed' – but there is a point to make about hanging on to a lead once it has been established.

I feel a degree of sympathy for Ciaren Jones as I do not forget the sterling work he does as a pivotal defender. Surely the best moment was to witness the joy on Kye Tearle's face as he scored his debut goal and he fully shared that joy with spectators. But for the penalty shout it might have been the winner.

Mentioned in despatches is the hard work and fine performance from Steve Gleeson, whose moments of real vision made a difference. Full credit is due to both teams for their unremitting efforts in demanding conditions.

So, we move on to Monday evening with Nuneaton Borough the visitors who will be feeling well pleased after their 4-1 win over Coalville today. Then, on the following Saturday we will see FA Cup action at home to AFC Sudbury.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell,(Stan Georgiou), Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, OWN GOAL, 21 MINUTES,(0-1), cautioned, Kye Tearle, GOAL, 41 MINUTES, (2-1), SPONSORS' MAN OF THE MATCH, Diogo Freitas Gouveia, GOAL, 33 MINUTES, (1-1) (Isaac Galliford), Stephen Gleeson, Dan Idiakhoa, Kavan Cotter, Finley Wilkinson.

Substitutes not used -Lewis Barker, Dan Emovon and Chris Khoo.

REDDITCH UNITED

Adam Harrison, Bradley Burton, Finn Howell, (Liam Armstrong, cautioned), Ryan Wollacott, Musa Ceesay Ceesay, Reece Flanagan, PENALTY GOAL 45+3, Danny King, Adriel George, Alex Cameron, (Jenson Cooper), Gift Mussa, Callum Rowe.Substitutes not used – Ben Taylor GK.

Referee – Mr C Bullock assisted by Mrs N Angus and Mr D Statham.

Attendance 410.

REPORT BY PIPEMAN