Three points to the good as COVE made the Hares run at Hormead in an all round superb team performance!
Right from the start Hitchin piled on the pressure and went on to dominate most of the first half despite Jakob Oconnor gifting the home side a penalty early on. Fortunately, keeper Scott Mardell saved well.
Divonte Thomas was having probably his best game of the season and a well-taken corner saw a header from defender Michael Trever saved. Thomas again was the provider on ten minutes with a great cross which Jack Kitchiner-Day struck home from close range to score the only goal of the half.
HT 0 - 1
Just one minute into the second half and our lead was extended as Thomas fired a long-range angled shot that gave Hares keeper no chance. This gave Hormead a bit of a wake up call and they made several attacks of their own with two shots just over the bar. Eventually, on the counter attack they pulled one back as they caught our defence napping.This was the only error that the Canaries made throughout and they learnt from it immediately.
Dean Mardell was also having a great game and set Thomas up for what should have been his second but it went just wide. The game was put beyond the reach of Hormead soon after as Cameron Swinburn struck a fantastic free kick that Sam Chapman buried with his first touch.
With the game now back in our lads’ control it was in the very last minute that the referee pointed to the penalty spot for the second time in the match but this time it was in our favour as Chapman was brought down in the box as he went for a second. Swinburn stepped up and took it sublimely, placing the ball into the top right corner.
Great game, great result and everybody went back to Hitchin very happy indeed. This result was just what the lads needed and should prove to be a much-needed shot in the arm of confidence which has sadly been in short supply this season.
HORMEAD 1 HITCHIN TOWN 4
41 Kitchiner-Day 10
Thomas 36
Chapman 51
Swinburn (pen) 70
Man of the Match :
Divonte Thomas (unselfish, class performance!)
Match report by
Kevin Kitchiner-Day