Hitchin Updates

[drummyb]

Bad day at the office - At least we have fixed starting XI eh guys?

Plus I'm sure Penn will use all his Kiddie contacts (get your mind out the gutter) and bring in some class soon.

What are you proposing and what should we have done?

Nowt. Just enjoy the carnage then rebuild later.

Ah. Agent of Chaos!!

Anyhoo. People have said our defence is looking good in previous games. Not from what Ive seen personally. I think we have some good players (today aside) but not all. But it doesnt gel and there is no effort to have a go back. I was asked if the squad was better than last years. Having seen a handful of games, its not looking like it. That said the squad we had last year was also not as strong as it should have been. Not that I expect promotion or to walk any league, but I do expect us to get stuck in. It strikes me, every team is big, strong and fast in this division. We are fast.
For whatever reason players move on, I dont think we have replaced the backbone we had. We will win games, but I expect we will lose more this year unless something changes. I dont go every week, but this is becoming a string of poor performances. Being trounced 8-2 at Spennymoor, was infinitely better played than today.
I still give it mid October for a truer picture

[TractionJackson]

You get spanked in one little match and everyone loses their mind!!

I still give it mid October for a truer picture

Agreed tbh.

[drummyb]

Its not one match though. Its several poor performances, with no improvement. Folks can take losing, but its the effort that goes in and the performance that matters. Which is why I think mid October.

[DJ]

Southern League Premier Central – Saturday, 21st September 2024

Halesowen Town 0 Hitchin Town 4

Hapless Halesowen crashed to a heavy home defeat against rock-bottom Hitchin, writes DJ.

Yeltz manager Russ Penn did not mince his words. “I’m embarrassed, I apologise to the fans and the board. That’s up there with one of the worst, with no endeavour or energy. I’m a bit flat as I didn’t see it coming. We could’ve gone top just a week ago - but that’s not a team that’s fighting, I can’t accept some of those performances today. I’m disappointed and feel let down to be honest.”

Before the kick-off goalkeeper Dan Platt was presented with a plaque to mark his 300th Yeltz appearance.

Hitchin, reprieved from relegation last season, started the game still without a point this season. But the rock-bottom Canaries soon shocked Halesowen by racing into an early two goal lead. Home goalkeeper Dan Platt palmed away brilliantly when Coree Wilson set up George Morrall in space after just 4 minutes but from Morrall’s resulting 5th minute corner defender Lewis BARKER powered home a direct header to put Hitchin ahead.

With the Yeltz in disarray, Wilson put a great chance wide of an empty net from a tight angle just two minutes later after Nat Kelly’s back header fell short of his goalkeeper Platt.

However, Hitchin deservedly doubled their lead at 2-0 in the 14th minute after Wilson shook off Ryan Wynter and set up Morrall to shoot. Although Platt parried the ball away, Rio DEALL swept home the rebound. Platt then made another good save to prevent a third goal after Wilson and Morrall combined in the 20th minute.

Halesowen made little impression in the first period, although a 26th minute shot from Kieren Donnelly was saved by Kyle Forster and Adi Yussuf was unable to convert the rebound. A low, long range effort in the 45th minute from McKauley Manning was then collected by Forster. But it was left to Platt to save the day again in first-half injury time by saving from Wilson in front of goal at the end of a first-half to forget for the Yeltz.

The Canaries continued stride to a comfortable victory after the break, adding a further two goals with no sign of a response from Halesowen.

Deall found MORRALL to volley home at the far post for a fine third Hitchin goal just three minutes into the second period. Just three minutes later Platt beat the ball away from Deall on a lightning Hitchin break and after 71 minutes Wilson’s cross along goal only just evaded Jack Dreyer.

Disjointed Halesowen finally mustered a 76th minute chance when Forster easily saved an 18 yard shot from Todd Parker before substitute Ryan Boothe missed a free 85th minute header from Manning’s free-kick.

Matters only become worse for the woeful Yeltz when new signing Joshua CHIDYAUSIKU latched onto a poor back-pass from home captain Wynter to round goalkeeper Platt and slot into an empty net to make it a sobering 4-0 in added time.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Ben Cassidy (Jak Hickman 49), Nat Kelly (Reece Mitchell 15), Josh Smile, Ryan Wynter (c), Ryan Wollacott, Todd Parker, Conor Tee (Finley Holmes 46), Adi Yussuf (Ryan Boothe 68), Kieren Donnelly, McKauley Manning. Sub Not Used: Patrick Wood.

Hitchin Town: Kyle Forster; Lewis Franklin (Bradley Dixon-Smith 65), Ciaren Jones (c), Lewis Barker (Stephen Gleeson 77), Daniel Sears, Connor Roberts, Harry Titchmarsh, Jack Dreyer, Coree Wilson (Joshua Chidyausiku 83), George Morrall (Reon Smith-Kouassi 90), Rio Deall (Daniel Stokoe 60).

Referee: Benjamin Stott Attendance: 716
Booked: Donnelly (63), Sears (63)
Tulleys Print HTFC Man of the Match selected by WD Garage Doors: Dan Platt
Non-League Paper Man of the Match: George Morrall (Hitchin)

[Brightgoldenhaze]

Which is why I think mid October.

We don't score enough goals. I'm struggling to see how that changes by mid-October.

[TractionJackson]

You have one poor season and everyone loses their mind!!

I will say that the gallows humour aspect made the shed end the most fun it's been in many months. I mean, that's not sustainable but it was a silver lining in a cloud of s**t.

[juanillo]

That's an appalling performance and result.

Just to put this into context, Hitchin had lost all their matches this season, but since Christmas last year they had only beaten Berkhamsted who went down, they have drawn twice and have lost 23 times!!

To lose to them is shocking in its own right, but to be thrashed is worse than a debacle and even more alarming.

[Jefftoad76]

Wer a far worse team than last year,wer too slow too small too weak dont work hard enough to close opposition down while every team we play works harder closes us down quicker are bigger faster and stronger
Why is it we can pass the ball 10 times and get nowhere while today hitchin 2 or 3 balls and there in on goal with a clear chance
We create absolutley nothing clear cut,its terrible football to watch and i think the performances are getting worse game after game,i cant see any style of play apart from hoofball
We have no decent strikers therefore we wont score enough goals to win a game
Are the team playing for this manager ??i dont think they are,unless we bring in some real quality in all areas we will struggle

[andy]

You get spanked in one little match and everyone loses their mind!!

I still give it mid October for a truer picture

Agreed tbh.

Can't make my mind up whether you are just being a wind up merchant. You slate us for panning them and then do it yourself. There is absolutely no defending what we have seen in the last few games whatsoever. End of.

[Dazzie76]

Roll on Tuesday
Can't wait for my cheese cob