Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Canaries will heed the warnings of FA Cup upsets past
Thursday, September 14 2006
The FA Cup gets underway for Hitchin this weekend when Saffron Walden provide the opposition in the first qualifying round.
The Canaries know that the Eastern Counties Division One side will be keen to cause an upset. Hitchin start as favourites, but the club’s record against teams from that league is not good. Braintree (1990), Tiptree (1991) and Wisbech (1996) were all from the Eastern Counties League when they beat Hitchin, and in more recent years, Molesey and Beaconsfield have also produced a shock result against the Canaries.
“We will not be underestimating Saffron Walden at all,” insists manager Darren Salton. “We’ve watched them, we know they are a well-drilled side, and don’t forget, they are unbeaten this season, so they will have plenty of confidence.”
Saffron Walden have started the season well, winning three of four league games. They have disposed of Cogenhoe and Harlow in the FA Cup, the latter something of a shock result.
The Canaries last met Saffron Walden in 1999 when Andy Melvin’s side won 4-1 at the Essex club in the FA Cup.