Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Tough away tests await
Monday, September 8 2003
Hitchin face two important away fixtures this week after a three game period that has yielded just one point for Robbie O’Keefe’s side.
Visits to Kettering and Grays could not come at a worse time for the Canaries.
Both sides are in winning mode and Hitchin don’t have a good track record at the latter venue.
Kettering, where Hitchin go on Tuesday, remain favourites for the Ryman League title. Manager Dominic Genovese has a young side that has clicked into form, despite a surprise home defeat at the hands of Braintree.
Hitchin last visited Rockingham Road in November 1977, losing an FA Cup replay after a 2-2 draw at Top Field. The Poppies did provide the opposition in a pre-season friendly at Top Field in 1991, winning 5-0 against Steve Norris’s side.
“We’ll come up against a partisan crowd, so it will be a good experience for our players”, said Robbie O’Keefe. “But we’ve shown before that we can perform in front of a large audience.”
Grays is another tricky hurdle. In recent years, the Canaries have found the poor surface and uncompromising tactics of the Essex side a problem.
Last season, Hitchin grabbed a vital point at the Recreation Ground, but in the two previous seasons, were beaten at Grays.
The game gives Hitchin fans a chance to see former defender Joe Bruce in action again. Bruce joined full-timers Grays in the close season and he is expected to play after making his debut last week.
If Hitchin’s Chris Dillon is fit again, he will also be facing his former club.
