Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Old scores to be settled in big Christmas clash
Tuesday, December 21 2004
Hitchin Town and Bedford Town meet headlong on Bank Holiday Monday, kick off 3pm, with players from both sides out to prove a point or two.
Both clubs missed out on promotion to the Conference South in May, with the Eagles beating the Canaries 3-1 in the play-off eliminator. As well as wanting to get even on their local rivals, Hitchin will come face to face with some of their former players, and likewise, the Canaries have squad members who have worn the Bedford blue.
After a dismal start to the season, Bedford have been in good form for weeks now, with ex-Hitchin striker Chris Dillon scoring prolifically. Dillon was among the first casualties of the Dixon era at Top Field, leaving the club 12 months ago. Craig Rydeheard and Dean McElroy, who both defected to Bedford in the past year, are also likely to feature in Nick Platnauer's side.
At Hitchin, Paul Covington and Josh Sozzo are both former Bedford players, although Sozzo has yet to appear since Kerry Dixons departure from Top Field. Aaron Cavill also had a brief spell at the New Eyrie.
The game is sure to attract a lot of interest and Hitchin officials are hoping for a near-1,000 crowd. Last season, Hitchin were beaten 1-3 at home but won 2-1 at Bedford. And since Bedford were reformed, the Canaries have won three of the six league meetings.
Darren Salton's men will be without Shane Hill, who is suspended.
