Good work counts for nothing as Bards lose
Stratford Town 0
Hitchin Town 1
STRATFORD’S miserable week continued as they failed to build on an excellent first half and ended up losing to a sloppy goal midway through the second half.
The Bards dominated the opening period but were unable to make the most of their good work as the sides went into the break goalless.
On four minutes, Alex Worley whipped in a low ball that flew across the Hitchin six-yard but eluded his teammates.
They went closer still on 12 minutes when Tom Solanke’s powerful run up the middle ended with him laying the ball off to Jack Storer and his fierce 25-yard shot was deflected just wide of the post.
The visitors had a penalty shout waved away midway through the half when Daniel Idiakhoa went down under the challenge of Paul McCone and there was a similar incident at the other end five minutes later when Ebanks was sent sprawling.
The Bards continued to press with Ebanks powering a shot wide in the turn before Storer lofted a long-range effort onto the top of the goal. For the visitors, Kevin Cotter fired wide following a good run into the area by Idiakhoa.
Hitchin made a half-time change with Arnold Matchazi replacing Jack Snelus who picked up a knock in the first half and his arrivals seemed to lift his side.
Ten minutes into the half he combined with Idiakhoa to put Finlay Wilkinson in on goal but Liam O’Brien was equal to the task, diving full-length to push the effort around the post for a former. Three minutes later the Bards shotstopper was at it again, diving low to push a Idiakhoa effort around the post.
Stratford were struggling to get out of their half and they fell behind on 72 minutes when a cross from Bradley Bell ballooned up off Vaughan and Toby Syme forced the ball over the line at the far post.
Bards boss Gavin Hurren sent on young substitutes Finn Harvey and Devonn O’Sullivan but second half chances still proved elusive as Hitchin held on to their slender advantage.
Indeed the visitors had further chances to add to the scoreline with Kevin Cotter having an effort tipped around the post by O’Brien on 87 minutes with Idiakhoa having a shot deflected wide a minute later.
Stratford: O’Brien, Vaughan (Daly 85), Worley, Hussey, McCone, Solanke, Williams, Barkers, Ebanks, Laffery, Storer. Subs (not used): Beresford, Wildbore.
Hitchin: Horlock, Bell, Tearle, Syme, Jones, Georgiou, Cotter, Gleeson, Idiakhoa, Snelus (Matshazi 46), Wilkinson. Subs (not used): Galliford, Akinbusoye, Freeman, Khoo.
Referee: David Hinton
Att: 323
Goals: Hitchin – Syme (72)
Bards Star Man: Chris Hussey
Opposition Star Man: Ciaren Jones
