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Hitchin Town U13 COVE v Arlesey Town U13

Sunday, January 11 2009

The first game back after the Christmas break was at home against the old arch enemy Arlesey Town, whom we haven't met since the U10's.

This game meant a lot to several of the lads as Alfie Laurie, Ben Burns and Sam Chapman all come from Arlesey and Jack Kitchiner-Day once put four terrific goals past their keeper in a 5 - 0 thrashing at U9 level! However, with a depleted and weakened squad beset by injuries, it turned out to be the first defeat in ten games against the local rivals - hopefully not a sign of things to come in 2009!
 
The first ten minutes were very promising for COVE. Divonte Thomas had a shot blocked and another screamed just over the bar. On eleven minutes though, Arlesey had their first chance and breezed through a scruffy defence to open their account.
 
The rest of the period became mostly a midfield battle with Hitchin unable to get the ball forward at all much after the shock opener. When they did, they simply squandered their chances in front of goal. In stark contrast, the visitors also had only two more chances but, to their credit, took them both well.
 
HT 0 - 3
 
The second half was again played mostly in the centre of the park only by now it was all starting to get very nasty as tempers flared and tackles became hard...very hard! More than one player from either side limped from the pitch and more than one was removed from the pitch too!
 
Overall, this half displayed awful football with an attitude to match and only three shots to really speak of - two from Arlesey which Canaries keeper Scott Mardell saved superbly and yet another moon-bound shot from Thomas.
 
A very despondent start to the New Year - the result puts Arlesey in top spot while we remain languishing in a lowly ninth! Next week, it's the long trek to Hormead who are currently eighth so maybe the lads can finally start pulling some much needed points back.
 
FINAL SCORE: HITCHIN TOWN 0 - ARLESEY TOWN 3