St Albans 2-2 Hitchin Town: Canaries win 5-3 on penalties

After a somewhat underwhelming first half performance, Hitchin girded up their loins in a much better second half in a game that threatened to deaden the enthusiasm of even the most die-hard of fans.

The Canaries travelled to Clarence Park after their fine win against St Ives. Tonight's Saints had already played last night in a 1-1 draw with Chelmsford City, so they unsurprisingly fielded a mixture of first team and academy players, which is not unusual in domestic competitions.

Hitchin made their own changes, with Stephen Gleeson back from suspension and Delsin Ackom making a start at right full-back. Rio Dasilva started and Stanley Georgiou retained his place.

Up for grabs was a semi-final slot away to either Cheshunt or Hemel Hempstead Town, and this Hertfordshire Senior Cup is the last cup competition in which the Canaries retain an interest. In the last round Tring Athletic were defeated 4-0 at Cow Lane.

It was very curious but the first half was so uninspiring it was notable only for Zane Banton's poached goal after sixteen minutes, after Charlie Horlock had parried a first effort. 'Three centre back and two wing backs', announced secretary Roy Izzard. His other remarks about this half were tinged with melancholy as this team that had lorded it over St Ives seemed to be playing an entirely different style, with long ball passes intercepted with ease.

Ciaren Jones was immediately busy, seeing a lot of the ball, as did Liam Sole of the Saints, aided by Banton. The Saints had more of the possession, and both teams employed that laborious style of playing square, playing back, then going forward to be dispossessed. Malaki black's early cross was easy for keeper Liam Gauthier. Rio Dasilva showed willing but he seemed doomed to inaccuracies that overruled his enthusiasm.

A tenth minute corner for the Saints was easily cleared. Josh Coldicott-Stevens was lively on the ball, and the first shot came from Jake Hutchinson, who fired wide on the turn. The game needed more moves like that, but they did not come as plentifully as we would have liked.

A second corner for St Albans. It was a teasing in swinger and resulted in a goal for the hosts, with Banton providing the final touch, after Horlock had pushed out the first effort. The loudspeakers obligingly played some celebratory music and our programme editor voiced the view that if we scored the anthem would be absent. He was correct. The goal came after sixteen minutes.

Hutchinson, receiving a ball from a throw-in on the right managed to get in a shot, which blazed across the goal and went wide. The way that Hitchin were giving the ball away was the cause of some concern, and Ciaren Jones had what might be charitably described as an off-target effort. More laborious passing in the defensive half brought some uncomplimentary remarks, especially when possession was surrendered so cheaply.

A free-kick for Hitchin wide on the right saw Liam Gauthier deal with it well, but he took a knock and was replaced in the second half by Alex Tokarczyk.

Liam Sole ventured into the penalty area and judging from his cynical embarks to the assistant referee he thought the tackle that dispossessed him illegitimate; the referee did not. A forward ball for Sam Meakes asked too much and Hitchin were able to build from the back again.

Banton had a shot along the ground gathered easily by Horlock, and Dasilva's shot that came from this was disappointing. Stead, lurking on the right had a decent shot on the half hour that went wide. There was some further disgruntled analysis from the Hitchin officials. Saints had a third corner that was ably defended, with a looping ball forward for Gleeson whose pass to Dasilva was intercepted. Saints had a bit of concentrated possession that brought a shot from Banton that did not trouble Horlock. Meakes had a half chance but was dispossessed by Jones.

A dismal shot on goal from Hitchin was embarrassingly off target, actually going out for a throw-in. We needed to improve on this, and it was thought that there may be some substitutions after the interval. There was a shot from Mitchell Weiss that took a deflection for a corner. Banton got to this but could not do anything constructive with it.

Hitchin had a free-kick on the right after Stead was fouled. Gleeson sent it in but only a goal kick came from this effort. We were quite pleased when the whistle went for the interval and believed to a man that a general

improvement was needed. Our wishes were granted. Stead's late effort might well have signalled this.

Within six minutes of the restart Hitchin were level and deservedly so, given the way that they had made a smart and positive start. This was more like it.

There were no substitutions yet for Hitchin and just the one for Saints. Banton had an early chance and but for a slip at a vital moment he might well have increased his side's lead.

The Hitchin equaliser was well taken. Stead had a blocked shot and Black followed up but it was easy for Tokarczyk, but the positive play from the visitors suggested parity was there to be achieved. A cross was defended by Saints and following a defensive error, Stead capitalised, brought a parry but Hutchinson followed up well and it was now level. The announcer credited Stead, but no matter.

St Albans reacted fittingly with some good attacking play. Dasilva's forward ball resulted in a smart bit of play by Stead and Hutchinson was there to head in from close range and Hitchin took the lead for the first time. This was altogether much better and a little overdue. Stead was getting more of the ball and combining with Hutchinson. There was an inviting reverse pass from Stead but no-one was positioned to exploit it.

Hitchin seemed to retain this new initiative but Banton restored parity, after Aaron Austin had tried his luck. Banton's persistence was admirable and his goal after sixty-four minutes was a smart finish, converting as long cross from the right. It was too early to think of penalties and we recalled the last one at St Neots which was notable for its misses from both teams.

Banton's goal brought the anthem and the rest of the match was evenly contested with, it being a cup tie, we had a dramatic winner for Hitchin ruled off-side, with but a few minutes remaining. Kye Tearle came on for Delsin Ackom and he dutifully played in the allotted position, despite its constraints on his creativity. Sole was replaced by Morrell for Saints.

After the equaliser, Hitchin went off the boil a bit, but contained their opponents well. Horlock tried a route one which asked just a bit too much of Hutchinson, and JCS tried another long ball that very nearly found Hutchinson. A corner for Hitchin, only their second of the game saw a

header over by Moloney that took a defensive touch for another. This brought some blustery play where Moloney had an unsuccessful shot.

Lankshear conceded another corner and Gleeson sent it across in hope and Jones got in a header that was well cleared.

We were getting nearer to the penalty shoot-out, which no-one really wanted, I suppose. A moment's hesitation from Gleeson afforded Dawson a chance in which he ought to have done better with his shot. A Hitchin free-kick ten minutes from time found the side-netting but a corner as well. The goalie punched this clear with some emphasis, and we saw Georgiou trying an effective header.

With minutes to go came the Hitchin 'goal' disallowed for off-side, (which would have given Hutchinson a hat-trick) and that decision meant we were even closer to the penalty competition, the details of which are as follows.

Stead – 1-0, Banton, 1-1

Moloney, 2-1. Morrell, 2-2

Coldicott-Stevens, 3-2, Dawson, 3-3

Gleeson, 4-3, Mukena – a miss 4-3

Hutchinson 5-3.

It is remarkable that Hitchin scored every one- laying the ghost of St Neots and thus we now face Cheshunt or Hemel Hempstead Town.

After an unremarkable first half, Hitchin improved their play and were no doubt pleased to progress in this competition.

ST ALBANS CITY

Charlie Horlock, captain, Delsin Ackom, (Kye Tearle), Malaki Black, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Matt Moloney, Ciaren Jones, Callum Stead, cautioned, Stan Georgiou, Jake Hutchinson, TWO GOALS, 51 AND 56 MINUTES, Rio Dasilva, Steve Gleeson. Unused substitutes- Jordan Kinoshi, Jack Green, Alex Brown, Steve Cawley.

REFEREE– Mr Lee Grimesy, assisted by Ms Joanne Horwood and Mr Conor Browne.

ATTENDANCE – 251

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