Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Eagles and Linnets on the menu
Friday, December 23 2005
Hitchin Town go into a tough two-game Christmas programme on the road hoping to get back to winning ways. The Canaries travel to Bedford on December 27 (3pm) and Kings Lynn on New Years Eve (1pm) looking for their first win since beating Rugby Town on November 19. Hitchin have drawn three and lost two of their last five games, and they have lost their last three away fixtures.
Bedford hit the top of the table recently and are two points clear of Salisbury, although the Wiltshire side have a massive four games in hand. Bedford are unbeaten in six games and have lost just one in 11. They have lost just once at home this season. With the recent FA Trophy game in mind, Ken Gillard, Hitchin’s Assistant Manager, is confident of success in the Christmas clash. “When we played them in the Trophy, we were without key players. But we ran them close. We have a good record at Bedford and in local derbies, anything can happen. That’s why I am confident of getting a result.”
Gillard and manager Darren Salton are looking to add to the Hitchin squad ahead of the holiday games. Both James Ayres and Glen Lamacraft will be missing at some point over the Christmas and New Year period through suspension and Jonathan Mills will also be unavailable. Gillard is looking for a better defensive display following the recent defeat at Tiverton and the 2-2 draw with Evesham, in which the Canaries threw away a two goal lead. “We defended poorly, giving away bad goals,” he said.
Hitchin travel to Kings Lynn looking for revenge for a five-goal drubbing earlier this season. But the last visit to Kings Lynn saw the Canaries win 2-1 at the Walks. Tommy Taylor’s team are unbeaten in seven games and are also riding high in the Premier Division.
Hitchin’s next home game is on Monday January 2 against Cheshunt, kick off 3pm.