Tuesday 11th April 2006
errea (Southern League) Cup - Final - First Leg
Hitchin Town 1  Bromsgrove Rovers 0
By Phil Baker

Manager Rod Brown did his homework on Hitchin having seen them at Evesham three weeks ago and had them watched more recently. He reckoned they were well organised and had two quality strikers who would need to be looked after right from the start. So defence was the order of the day with Joe Williams taking the left-back place ahead of Steve Hillman and Phil Male preferred as the other centre back with Exodus.

John Snape took his place at the centre of a five-man mid-field instead of Wayne Dyer with Paul Moore playing out on the right and Neil Davis the only striker.

The home team had the upperhand for the first twenty minutes when their tactics appeared to be fast breaks using the pace of the two strikers plus mid-fielders David Hicks and Daniel French. But Rovers' defensive ploy worked well breaking up moves before they presented any danger. Rovers did gain three corners during that time but without troubling the Hitchin defence.

The turning point really came on 24 minutes when Kevin Banner, having a good game out on the left, put in an excellent cross to the near post, Neil Davis got a foot to it but Richard Wilmot was alert and saved at close range. Rovers then went on the dominate the remainder of the half and will consider themselves unlucky not have been drinking their half-time tea one goal up. Kevin Banner managed to get the ball into the net on the 32nd minute but was adjudged offside whilst Paul Moore on 40 minutes and Riad Erraji on 42 minutes forced the Hitchin 'keeper to tip over the bar both from the same position about 25 yards out and both to the top left-hand corner.

Following the interval Hitchin resumed their tactic of running at the Rovers defence and it paid off after just two minutes when Josh Sozzo made a foray into the Rovers' box area and went down. Difficult to see if it was a trip, push or fall but Mr Linington had no doubt about awarding a spot -kick even though he was about 20 yards away. Josh Sozzo duly converted.

After that the game resumed where it had left off in the first half with the Canaries keeping well back behind the ball until they had a chance and rushed forward. Neil Davis had a good effort saved by Wilmot on 58 minutes following a good pass from Riad Erraji and the same man again hit a shot over the bar after John Snape hit a beautiful pass to him with the outside of his boot.

Both teams used up their fill quota of substitutes but neither could penetrate each other's stubborn defences. Hitchin supporters cheered when Mr Linington blew after three minutes of added time but their celebrations were muted knowing that had justice been done they would not have had that slender lead to take to the Victoria Ground.

Overall, a disappointing evening for Rovers who again proved they can not only keep up but also excel against higher placed clubs. The back four were solid and the midfield excellently marshalled by John Snape who controlled the match. Neil Davis did well as the target man constantly worrying the defence and he was not short of support.

Rod Brown's bottom line was a 0-0 draw or an away goal but a one-goal deficit can be overcome in two weeks time if they carrying on playing as well as they did tonight.

Rovers (4-5-1): Lee Evans, Matt Johnson, Joe Williams, Phil Male, Exodus Geohaghan (Steve Hillman 68 mins), John Snape, Riad Erraji (Liam McDonald 78 mins), Mark Benbow (Wayne Dyer 78 mins), Neil Davis, Paul Moore, Kevin Banner
Subs not used: Luke Reynolds, Chris McHale

Hitchin Town (4-4-2): Richard Wilmot, Neil Pugh, Mark Ducket, Stuart Hammonds,
Liam Folds, David Deeney, Glen Lamacroft, David Hicks (Stuart Lochhead 69 mins),
Gavin Jaggard (Thomas Hayes 63 mins), Josh Sozzo, Daniel French (Wayne Mills 87 mins)
Subs not used: Luke Maitland, James Ayres

Attendance: 379
Referee: Mr J Linington

Baker's MoM for Rovers: John Snape