Hitchin Athletic 2–2 Crookes United: the cycle continues

Match report

Hitchin Athletic and Crookes United drew 2-2 on Saturday 29 August, which rather continues the theme. Hitchin sit 16th on 37 points, Crookes 19th on 32, and the clubs had already drawn 1-1 earlier in the season. Both sides have spent weeks splitting points, and this did nothing to break the habit.

Crookes took the lead after 13 minutes when Sebastian Dewhurst rose to meet Bernardo Bellanca's cross and headed it beyond the Hitchin goalkeeper. It was Dewhurst's third goal in four matches, a reasonably productive run for a side that does not score many. The early goal gave Crookes something to protect, and they protected it. Job Dekker-Bos doubled the advantage in the 24th minute, turning in Kondwani Chirwa-Phiri's pass after a patient build-up that Hitchin's midfield watched rather than pressed.

That might have ended it. Instead, Dietmar Hechler headed in Arthur Trent's delivery on the stroke of half-time, and the game shifted shape. A goal that makes it 2-1 does not normally change much, but it changes the structural pressure. Hitchin pushed higher, pressed with more intent, and Crookes, who had been comfortable guarding two goals, suddenly had a slim margin to defend.

It lasted until the 78th minute. Hechler scored again, this time from the penalty spot, and the noise from the home supporters suggested they had been waiting for it. The equaliser was not a smash and grab: it was the logical conclusion of Hitchin's increased territory after the interval. Crookes will say the penalty was soft. They might be right, but that is the price of sitting on an early lead.

Dekker-Bos's finish and Dewhurst's header will be on the highlights. The real story was structural. Hitchin had more of the ball and did little with it for long spells; Crookes had the early control and then lost it. A draw was fair, which is a polite way of saying both sides will feel they left something behind.

The next matchday arrives tomorrow. Hitchin will hope one of these draws becomes a win; Crookes will hope the same. One of them might get lucky. Probably neither.