Bengeo Tigers FC

Sumatran’s faced two unknowns with this fixture, firstly opponents they had not met before but, more interestingly, the prospect of playing on a full size 3G Astroturf pitch.

Sumatrans fielded a slightly weakened squad (yes, getting the excuses in early!) as no Craig, Warren or Sam Pearman able to play and, after confusion over just what was permitted footwear, Sumatrans started with the line up of Sam Milne start in goal, a back four of Zack, Richard, Jack and Ben, with James Brett, Chris, James Levy and Tyler in midfield plus Robert and Andrea up front. Calum Dunnage and Sam Rider remained ready on the bench.

Early possession looked pretty balanced between both sides until a slight lack of concentration let Hitchin claim their first goal in the 17^th minute. Five minutes later Robert was fouled about 5yds outside Hitchin’s penalty area and it was James Brett who took the free kick with a terrific strike which was well saved to prevent it finding the top left corner of goal. The rest of the half saw both teams with spells of possession but the Blues looked the more dangerous. Sam did well to stop a 32^nd minute strike via a Blues corner but couldn’t stop Hitchin’s shot 5 minutes later to prevent them taking a 2 nil lead into half time.

The Blues 3^rd goal came just 2 minutes into the second half when Sam did well to block a Hitchin shot only to see Hitchin pick up the loose ball and loop a shot high over him to score and their 4^th was controversial after the ball appeared to be knocked from Sam’s grasp by the opponents before being netted. 10 minutes in and Sam Rider replaced Sam Milne in goal and quickly showed his abilities by diving to push a long shot safely wide left of his goal.

Hitchin’s confidence on the ball grew during the second half and, with a good supply of substitutes, moved the ball around well leaving Sumatrans to work hard to shut down the Blues possession.

Despite a number of tactical substitutions and good effort on the pitch, Sumatrans couldn’t find a goal. Sumatrans were unlucky not to get more from their time on the ball; a number of attacks couldn’t get past the Hitchin defence and when they eventually broke through, as Andrea did with a sprinting break in the 25^th minute, their shots were met by a confident keeper. Hitchin’s last 2 goals came in the last 15 minutes to take the comfortable win.

Well done to James Levy and Richard for being named Men of the Match.

Lloyd Adams