Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Canaries aim to get out of bottom four
Friday, March 14 2008
Hitchin Town could climb out of the bottom four for the first time in months should they beat Clevedon Town at Top Field.
If Rugby and Mangotsfield draw, and the Canaries are triumphant, then Darran Hay's team will move out of the relegation places. "It's a massive game for us," says Hay. "But we are feeling confident and our recent run has equipped us well for games like this."
Hitchin have come through a tough period in which the Canaries have played three teams in the top six and come away with four points. Tuesday night's draw at Swindon was another useful point and Hay was pleased with his team's application. "This was a tough place to come on a difficult night for playing, so it wasn't a bad point at all."
Clevedon are the league's draw specialists this season with 16 of their 34 games ending all-square. In fact, four of the five meetings between the Canaries and Clevedon have ended in draws. They have lost just eight games, but their penchant for draws has cost them a play-off place.
Other vital games this weekend include Corby's visit to Swindon Supermarine and Bedford's home game with Chippenham. "There’s still so much to play for and there are a number of teams who could get dragged into the struggle," says Hay.
Hay will give a fitness test to Luke Gregson who was injured at Swindon but will be without goalkeeper Ricky Perks. Jon Stevenson, who is almost ready to return, may be on the bench.
Hay confirmed that striker Marlon Campbell has been released.