Hitchin Town Youth Football Club
An FA Charter Standard Development Club
Hitchin Town Thunder U12 v Royston Town Youth U12
Sunday, September 21 2008
It was always clear that Hitchin would find Division One of the Royston Crow League a lot harder than Division Two, and so it proved with this first defeat of the season.
Despite scoring the opening goal, Royston's strength and experience at this level told in the end. Fitness seemed lacking to some degree, as did the will to win, which Hitchin will have to improve if they are to continue their recent league and tournament successes.
The home side started well and passed the ball all around their opponents before deservedly taking the lead when James Smith finished well from a far post cross.
But Royston had pace up front and knew how to maximise it with long balls. They had been dangerous a couple of times before equalising and finished the stronger of the two sides at half-time.
Hitchin's best chance to take a grip on the game came early in the second when Kameron Bethell put through Liam Sweeney, but his shot was well saved. The boys then failed to deal with a huge goal kick which bounced and beat the defence. It was latched onto by a Royston forward who finished neatly to make it 1-2.
From here, Hitchin rarely threatened again and were increasingly muscled out, whilst Royston enjoyed themselves with lively raids down the wings. Our best player was probably goalkeeper Luke McCabe, who made several fine saves.
A penalty given for a shirt pull gave Royston the chance for 1-3, which they took. And although Jake Alderson capitalised on a rare goalkeeping error near the end, a comeback always seemed unlikely.
This was Hitchin's first league defeat in over 18 months, so no need to panic. But plenty of hard work needed in the next game.
Final score: Hitchin Town Thunder 2 Royston Town Youth U12 3