Hitchin Town Football Club

Tough local derby awaits: Biggleswade v Hitchin

Friday, February 12 2010

Hitchin will come up against a team out to gain revenge for their defeat at Top Field in December.

Biggleswade Town were unlucky to lose 1-0 at Hitchin just before Christmas and Canaries manager Colin Payne admitted the best side lost on the night.

There’s no doubt that the Waders will be tough opposition – they have a good home record, have recently been on a good run and they have a sprinkling of former Hitchin players out to prove a point.

But Payne’s side should be full of confidence after a three game run that has seen them extend their lead at the top to five points and their goal difference by nine. “I was pleased with our second half performance on Tuesday night. We were patient after a difficult first half and it paid off. We finished very strongly,” said Payne.

Biggleswade recently beat Burnham 2-1 at their shining new Carlsberg Stadium, but last weekend lost 5-2 at Sutton Coldfield. Payne expects a difficult afternoon. “I was impressed with them in December and they have strengthened their squad, so we are preparing to battle for 90 minutes.”

Hitchin should be at full strength with Mark Ducket coming into the squad after signing in midweek.

Past (league) meetings
2009-10: Hitchin 1 (Hunt) Biggleswade 0

Current form (last six league games)
Biggleswade: W, L, W, L, W, L
Hitchin: W, D, D, W, W, W

Squads

Biggleswade (from): Bull, Smith, Webster, Folds, Reynolds, Kilroy, Dance, Lamacraft, Steele, B.Donnelly, Hall, Gatti, Cox, Heron, Wilson, Radcliffe, Cavill, Nunez
Hitchin (from): Bennett, Fontenelle, Pepper, Ducket, Williams, Smith, Gilbert, Lee, Lewis, L.Donnelly, Burke, Arlick, Hunt, Hammond, Stevenson, Grinham, Howell