35 minutes in the car to Top Field, home of Hitchin Town, The Canaries. A 'local derby' as they are from the county. A friendly welcome as usual but this ground is in need of TLC. Rumour has it that Hitchin are considering a move and, of course, they acquired Norton Road, former home of Baldock Town earlier this year. It's a funny old game, football. Familiar faces in the Town line-up include former Saints Chris McMennamin, Robbie Simpson and Tim Allpress. They are struggling this season, just outside the relegation zone and seem to have lost a number of games by the odd goal.
The Saints are in some disarray off the pitch and the fans are keen to know the Club's future. Only one member of the Board, Bill Nic, and no Directors, are at the game today.
For today, The Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal; 3 at the back: Moran, Brown and Campbell; 5 in the middle: Honeyball, Jimmy Sagrue (on Ryman League forms from Aldershot), Evans, Smith and Rattle; and 2 up front: Martin and Nabil. On the bench were Ansell, Burns and Denver Birmingham (on forms from Margate).
A fairly even first half with no hint of the drama to come later in the game. Neither side established superiority and both defences showed some weaknesses. Half-chances were created at each end but not converted. For Hitchin, Akurang was the danger man. The only goal came when a poor clearance
from the edge of his box by the home keeper found Sagrue on the edge of the centre circle who instantly hit a firm lobbed response, inch-perfect, into the roof of the net. 0-1. H.T.
Not enough room here to summarise the second half. Hitchin took the lead with 2 goals in 5 minutes, the first when their striker (Webb?, Day?) was given too much room 10 yards out and the second when a poor clearance was struck firmly into the net from 20 yards. City were creating chances, 2 or 3 falling to Martin in 1-on-1 stuations. Hitchin continued to press and Wilmot dealt well with a string of low and high crosses. Saints equalised from a Martin penalty after Nabil was needlessly brought down in the box. 2-2 and 15 minutes or so to go. Wilmot made a stunning, one-handed, full length save to his right. The home keeper tipped a Smith thunderbolt over the bar. Hitchin hit the post. Nabil's shot was deflected on to the post. (Are you getting the picture?) With 5 minutes to go, Nabil stole between 3 defenders to meet a long Rattle throw a couple of yards out. 2-3. Ansell came on for Martin with
2 minutes left. He ran on to a Rattle clearance just inside the Home half, took the ball wide into the box, round the keeper and slid the ball home with class. 2-4. F.T.
The attendance was 398, with some 150 City fans making the trip. A great game for the Saints fans and the neutrals. The Managers will be delighted with the win but they will know that you can't play like that every week! Hitchin will be disappointed. They created a number of chances which weren't converted and they were very poor at the back. The home keeper was their MotM despite
conceding 4, and for the Saints it was Campbell, or perhaps Wilmot.
Entertainment 9/10. Atmosphere 8/10. Technical Merit 6/10. Referee 4/10.
What's next for Saints? On the field, away from home on Tuesday night at Hertford Town in the Herts Charity Cup, no game next Saturday, away from home on Tuesday, November 20th at Hertford Town in the Herts Senior Cup (Groundhog Day!) - make sure the paperwork is in order Eamsie - and then at Clarence Park on Saturday, November 24th for the visit of Braintree. Off the field: Who knows?
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