Hitchin Town Youth Football Club
An FA Charter Standard Development Club
Hitchin Town U11 v Stevenage Celtic U11
Sunday, April 27 2008
After clinching the title last week, Hitchin pushed towards the end of the season with this win against an under-strength Celtic.
The game was played in rainy conditions and Hitchin started lethargically, which was perhaps a hangover from learning after last week's game at Potton that they had already clinched the Royston Crow Division Two title.
It also has to be said that Celtic battled tremendously hard and are due a lot of praise, particularly their goalkeeper and sprightly forwards.
The opening goal came after good work from Jake Alderson, with Kameron Bethell on hand to score. Celtic battled back. They had started the game without eleven players and then lost another through injury, yet scored an excellent equaliser through their number 11.
But Celtic resistance was broken again after Kameron followed up a shot from Sam Ward. Celtic then had a penalty claim turned down before Liam Sweeney made it 3-1 just before half-time.
The second half was rather more one-way traffic as Celtic tired, with Kameron securing his hat-trick then Liam scoring the best goal of the game after good build-up involving Michael Williams, Christian Farrugia and Lee Caller.
Hitchin then hit the post twice in the same attack before Kameron scored again to make it 6-1.
Despite the result being beyond doubt, the Celtic boys stuck to their task well and even threatened to score again on a couple of occasions - one break causing another big penalty shout.
But Hitchin finished off the game with Kameron scoring yet again and Lee Caller proving a fine finish for the champions' eighth and final goal.
Final score: Hitchin Town U11s 8 Stevenage Celtic U11s 1
Hitchin Town Youth Under 11's - Champions !