Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hay looks to Canaries to bounce back against Bashley
Friday, April 11 2008
Canaries manager Darran Hay was disappointed with last Saturday's result against Banbury United, but believes his side can bounce back against play-off aspirants Bashley this weekend. "Defensively we let ourselves down against Banbury and should have got all three points. It would have taken the pressure off for the next couple of games."
But Hitchin's game this weekend couldn't be tougher. Bashley, who are currently in fifth place in the BGB Premier Division, are going for one of the play-off places and a victory will almost achieve that for the Hampshire side.
The Canaries, at the other end of the table, know that a win against Bashley will go a long way towards securing safety.
Hitchin's resurgence over the past few weeks was possibly triggered off by a 3-2 win at Bashley, when Darran Hay's side came back from two-down to clinch a famous victory. Steve Riley's team have only been beaten twice at home this season, and the Hitchin defeat was their first. "We are a stronger side than when we played down there, so I am confident we can get a good result," says Hay.
Bashley have had a good first season back in the Premier Division and recently beat title-chasing Team Bath 4-3 in thrilling style. Since then, they have drawn with Rugby and Bromsgrove and Riley claimed his team are starting to tire after a gruelling campaign.
Bashley have two of the BGB Premier's most exciting forwards in Richard Gillespie and Ryan Moss, players who have scored 15 goals apiece. They also have experience in defence and are a tough side to play against.
Luke Gregson is still absent and is likely to be back against Merthyr Tydfil. Ricky Perks is still absent and requires surgery in the close-season.