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HITCHIN TOWN U14 COVE v HORMEAD HARES U14

Sunday, May 2 2010

It's almost certainly too late but Hitchin Town COVE made amends for the past two weeks' dismal performances with a sterling win over the friendly Hormead Hares to remain in second place with a final game against bottom club Pin Green next week to round off the season. League leaders Royston didn't play, Bishop Stortford only managed three out of six points in a double header at Letchworth and Fairlands crashed out of the promotion stakes after they handed Pin Green only their second win of the entire campaign, so overall it was a pretty good day for our lads.
 
As the match commenced Hormead saw a very early attempt fly off target but Hitchin quickly gained control as Danny Burton broke through the centre and set up striker Adam Ward on the left (his shot whistled just wide of the far post), before assisting in the opener. After receiving a typically perfect ball from Josh Howard, Ward sent in a magnificent cross that Jakob Oconnor blasted home with a tremendous volley from just inside the eighteen-yard box. A fantastic return from a long injury by Oconnor, just four minutes into his first game back since January! Shortly after, Howard forced the first corner, which was taken well by Cameron Swinburn, though Michael Trever's first time shot flew over the crossbar.
 
The visitors, to their great credit, seemed unfazed by conceding so early in the game and began a spirited fight back. However, just as in the first meeting between these two teams, COVE, now a goal up, were quite happy to soak up the pressure and watch the Hares run themselves into the ground and out of energy. This tactic however is a dangerous game to play and Hitchin were almost caught out as Hormead launched five consecutive sorties on the home goal, three of which forced keeper Scott Mardell into some fine saves. Any worry though was eventually averted as Swinburn, on the right, sent Oconnor through for his second, with a wicked low strike to double the advantage as Town began to re-assert the pressure. In fact Hitchin were actually unlucky not to go into the break with a four goal lead after two more set ups by the on-form Swinburn, each from a dead ball situation, but both of the resulting shots, by Trever and Sam Chapman respectively, went over the bar.
 
The second half began with COVE, looking by far the stronger team and The Hares now almost completely on the back foot. On the odd occasion that they did attempt to break through, some excellent Hitchin defending in a mix of George Bellwood, Harry Day, Trever, Chris Smith and Tom Pike stopped them in their tracks. Early in, Hitchin were awarded a free kick from about 25yrds central which Trever struck well but placed just wide of the top left corner and then Dean Morrell laid on Howard but his shot was saved. There was little the Hormead keeper could do about the next attempt however, as Howard and Ward combined beautifully, for the striker to breeze through a poor defence and finish off in style after going one-on-one.
 
Hormead simply could not withstand the relentless pressure they now found themselves under, and just ten minutes after the third, came the fourth and final goal to seal their fate. Ward once again turned provider with a superbly taken corner ball from the right, which he whipped in toward the far post to enable Trever to squeeze a header home just beyond reach of the Hares number ones’ out-stretched glove.
 
For the second week in a row, with a result certain, though this time a good one, Hitchin's keeper Mardell was given a run outfield, exchanging the green shirt for yellow with Chapman. Although there were no more goals, COVE kept the Hares area under almost constant bombardment with Swinburn, Smith, Oconnor and Jack Kitchiner-Day all being denied by saves. Also, Trever had a crack at a second but after yet another Ward assist, launched the ball high over, and then Ward himself, slightly dented his otherwise perfect performance, by missing a five-yard sitter from a Howard free kick.
 
There is no comparison between this brilliant show and the awful display that was put on last week, which unfortunately killed off title hopes, but at least the lads seem to be working as a team and playing with enjoyment and pride again in the run-in to their final fixture next week. Hopefully COVE can finish the season on a high note with a repeat of the dedication shown today, but they need to keep their heads and remember that rock bottom Pin Green will be eager to take a third and final scalp before they descend into third division oblivion!
 
HITCHIN TOWN 4 (0)   HORMEAD 0 (0)
Oconnor 4, 25
Ward 46
Trever 56
 
Man of the Match Jakob Oconnor (marvellous comeback from long injury!)
 
Match report by Kevin Kitchiner-Day