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Match details
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Report
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Stevenage Town 1-3 Hitchin TownSaturday, 26 September 1903
Herts County League Northern Division Referee: ? Attendance: ? Scorers: Carpenter Stevenage team
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Match coverage
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Hertfordshire Express, Saturday, October 3 1903
STEVENAGE BEATEN AT HOME
On Saturday Stevenage Town played their first match of the season in the Herts League competition, meeting Hitchin Union Jack at home. Winning the toss, the home side played uphill back to the sun, and pressure was put upon the visitors' defence direct from the start. However, no scoring was done, although there were some near shaves, shots being put in by Morton, Field and Carpenter in quick succession. The "Jacks" custodian kept them out in marvellous fashion. The visitors' chance came soon after, but Holt kicked wide, while directly afterwards Hill managed to clear an awkward shot.
Stevenage then for a time showed much better combination in the forward rank, and the ball was worked up the field where Simmonds at outside right put in a hot shot which was beautifully saved, Field just failing to score from the rebound. Directly afterwards the only goal of the first half was scored. From a pass from Field, Carpenter took the ball up and Newling failing to clear, the goalkeeper rushed out just too late; he came into collision with Carpenter, who fell, but contrived to give a parting tap to the ball, which caused it to roll gently into the net.
This seemed to stimulate both sides, but the home eleven were the better, and had terribly hard luck in not notching again. Half-time arrived with no alteration in the score. The second half was an eyeopener for the home team, although they were at a great disadvantage with the sun low down and full in their faces. The "Jacks" forwards played a nice, well-combined game, and their tactics were mostly successful.
In ten minutes King opened the scoring for them, and almost directly afterwards put on number two, Litchfield misjudging the man, whom he tried to charge and failed. This he tried to do again later on with the same result, except that the ball was passed in where Payne (known as "Whiffer") secured and put in a shot which gave Hill no chance. This ended the scoring, although Stevenage ought to have had another two at least, but were foiled almost on the post by Worbey, who was in fine form during the latter half.
The home team played a very indifferent game, lacking combination in midfield and shooting ability when in front of goal. The defence, on the whole, was good; it was the occasional misjudging that did the mischief. The forwards played well individually, but Leggett seemed to get the ball and keep it for one of his opponents instead of passing at once, and this is true of FIeld's play in a lesser degree. Morton at outside left was the best forward on the day's play; he does not keep the ball any longer than is necessary, and some of his centres deserved a better fate than they usually met with.
The Union Jack forwards at times suggested clockwork in their passing; their opponents could take lessons from them with benefit. The defence in the first half was very uncertain, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who showed very great skill at his post. In the second half the backs played a much better game. It is certain that Stevenage had all the hard luck as well as most chances, although on the play their opponents were slightly the better team taking the game right through.
STEVENAGE BEATEN AT HOME
On Saturday Stevenage Town played their first match of the season in the Herts League competition, meeting Hitchin Union Jack at home. Winning the toss, the home side played uphill back to the sun, and pressure was put upon the visitors' defence direct from the start. However, no scoring was done, although there were some near shaves, shots being put in by Morton, Field and Carpenter in quick succession. The "Jacks" custodian kept them out in marvellous fashion. The visitors' chance came soon after, but Holt kicked wide, while directly afterwards Hill managed to clear an awkward shot.
Stevenage then for a time showed much better combination in the forward rank, and the ball was worked up the field where Simmonds at outside right put in a hot shot which was beautifully saved, Field just failing to score from the rebound. Directly afterwards the only goal of the first half was scored. From a pass from Field, Carpenter took the ball up and Newling failing to clear, the goalkeeper rushed out just too late; he came into collision with Carpenter, who fell, but contrived to give a parting tap to the ball, which caused it to roll gently into the net.
This seemed to stimulate both sides, but the home eleven were the better, and had terribly hard luck in not notching again. Half-time arrived with no alteration in the score. The second half was an eyeopener for the home team, although they were at a great disadvantage with the sun low down and full in their faces. The "Jacks" forwards played a nice, well-combined game, and their tactics were mostly successful.
In ten minutes King opened the scoring for them, and almost directly afterwards put on number two, Litchfield misjudging the man, whom he tried to charge and failed. This he tried to do again later on with the same result, except that the ball was passed in where Payne (known as "Whiffer") secured and put in a shot which gave Hill no chance. This ended the scoring, although Stevenage ought to have had another two at least, but were foiled almost on the post by Worbey, who was in fine form during the latter half.
The home team played a very indifferent game, lacking combination in midfield and shooting ability when in front of goal. The defence, on the whole, was good; it was the occasional misjudging that did the mischief. The forwards played well individually, but Leggett seemed to get the ball and keep it for one of his opponents instead of passing at once, and this is true of FIeld's play in a lesser degree. Morton at outside left was the best forward on the day's play; he does not keep the ball any longer than is necessary, and some of his centres deserved a better fate than they usually met with.
The Union Jack forwards at times suggested clockwork in their passing; their opponents could take lessons from them with benefit. The defence in the first half was very uncertain, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who showed very great skill at his post. In the second half the backs played a much better game. It is certain that Stevenage had all the hard luck as well as most chances, although on the play their opponents were slightly the better team taking the game right through.