Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Chirpy Canaries aiming to make it four
Thursday, February 2 2006
Hitchin Town are aiming to make it four wins on the trot when they play host to Mangotsfield United on Saturday.
The Canaries have just ended the best eight-day period they have experienced for almost three years. Three away wins, two in the league, have raised expectations at Top Field. Instead of looking towards the bottom end of the table, Darren Salton’s men are now eyeing a play-off place. Although they have played more games than most, Hitchin are just five points from the top five.
There is renewed confidence at Hitchin after wins against Ashford, Aylesbury and Tuesday night’s victory at local rivals Bedford. In fact, since the turn of the year, Hitchin are one of the form sides in the Southern League. “It’s a combination of some good new signings and the effect that a couple of decent results can give you,” says Salton. “We are looking a better side and as a result, we are more confident.”
Mangotsfield, by contrast, have gone 10 games without a win. Their last victory was in November. They started the season well and beat the Canaries 1-0 in September.
“We won’t be taking anything for granted,” adds Salton. “The fact that Mangotsfield have been having a bad run will only make them determined to end that run – it will be a tough game.”