Home Reports Fixtures Team Info Contacts Policies The Arena EJA League

Hitchin Town (Beds) U16 v Boreham Wood U16

Sunday, November 15 2009

Hitchin's first outing in this year's competition, and a visit from Boreham Wood so early in the competition, meant that one of the competition favourites would be disappointed.

After Saturday's gales and heavy rain we were all surprised that at kick off we were basking in sunshine. The early exchanges were cagey, both teams figuring out the others game plan.

With debutant Frazer Harper probing on the right and Macauley Mitchell on the left, Hitchin slowly began to dominate play, Billy Baird was winning the battle in the centre of the park. On 20 mins some neat inter play between Joe Webb and Jonny McNamara found Harper in space, his perfectly weighted pass put Andre Pierce through, he went past the centre back and coolly beat the keeper from 12 yards, 1 -0 Hitchin.

However within five minutes, Boreham Wood, found space on their right, the cross was a handled by Matt White, Boreham Wood Calmly put the penalty away, giving Micheal Johnson no chance 1-1.

For the remainder of the half Hitchin probed down both flanks, neat inter-passing creating several more half chances. On 35 Minutes Dan Breed won a corner on the right, Harper the ensuing corner in the six yard box, the ball fell to Mitchell who thumped home 2-1 Hitchin.  The goal gave a Hitchin a lift and the last mins minutes saw them dominate possession and finish the half with a flourish.

At half time both teams made changes, for Hitchin Whitman came on for the hard working Todd. Boreham Wood made some changes to their shape introducing a Herts county forward on their left, and moving the right midfielder out nearer the touchline. The early exchanges were fairly even, but with Boreham Wood slowly gaining the ascendancy in the wide areas.

It was no surprise when after some neat play on their left, Boreham Wood found space in the box and the ball was calmly put away. 2-2. This gave the away team lift and over the next 10 minutes Hitchin struggled to keep a foothold in the game, also as both teams become more determined to win, some ill-discipline crept into the game. A Foul on Harper resulted in the game being held up for 5 mins, shortly after this Boreham Wood hit the post and forced Johnson into a great catch from a one of a string of corners.

Showing great resilience, Hitchin forced themselves back into the game, and broke down the right, with the game into the 4th minute of added time, Mitchell whipped the ball in to Pierce in the 18 yard box his mis-control in the box left the ball flying around, but in the ensuing melee the ball found its’ way to Manny EZE who slid the ball over the line, 3-2 Hitchin.

From the kick off “Wood” forced one final corner, which Hitchin dealt with capably, the ball was cleared and the final whistle blown.

Final Score:- Hitchin Town 3 Boreham Wood 2.

Top quality match, great result for Hitchin...