Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Billericay Town 1 Hitchin Town 3
Wednesday, August 20 2003
It took Hitchin nine games to reach six league points last season, but after just 180 minutes, the Canaries reached that landmark for the new campaign by maintaining their 100% record at Billericay on Tuesday night.
This was a very professional peformance by Hitchin and one which oozed confidence. And the margin of victory was more than deserved, clinched by a 90th minute goal by new boy Stuart Maynard.
Right from the start, Hitchin looked in control, with Andy Douglas, Adam Parker and Matt Nolan all going close. The big concern, however, was that Hitchin had not turned their superiority into goals.
But after 34 minutes, Craig Rydeheard opened the scoring, finishing off a move that began with a Chris Dillon cross and a challenge by Nolan on the goalkeeper. Rydeheard shot home as the ball ran loose.
Just before the interval, James Ayres preserved Hitchin's lead when he cleared off the line from Jimmy Lee. And early in the second half, Danny Hockton struck the bar with a shot from the edge of the penalty area as the home side rallied. But a James Osborn volley and another effort from Rydeheard suggested that Hitchin when they so wished, could step up a gear.
In the 65th minute, Osborn cemented Hitchin's lead with a spectacular shot into the corner of the net after Nolan laid the ball back in his path.
Ten minutes from time, Billericay pulled a goal back, substitute Niall Ritchie sending a back-heading over James Robinson.
But Hitchin were not finished and in the final minute, a comical mix-up between Billeircay defender Russell Penn and goalkeeper Chris Howard presented Maynard with the chance to score on his debut, and he duly looped the ball over both players to score. "An excellent night's work and a great team effort," commented Assistant Manager Kerry Dixon.
Hitchin: Robinson, Childs, Rydeheard, Frater, Ayres, Scott, Osborn, Nolan, Douglas, Parker (Bone h/t), Dillon (Maynard 82)
