Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 1 Ford United 1
Saturday, March 6 2004
Hitchin manager claims that, in the club’s current circumstances, every point should be celebrated. And there was plenty to be pleased about in this performance against one of the Ryman League’s most physical sides.
Hitchin could well claim that they deserved to win this game, which at times, was quite bad tempered. A tetchy first-half was characterised by a 20th minute double sending off – Gavin Jaggard of Hitchin and Alex Fiddes of Ford both being red-carded.
Earlier, Jaggard had gone close to scoring when he rounded a defender and saw his shot saved by Ford goalkeeper Jamie Lunan. Josh Sozzo, ever the livewire, also had a good chance parried by Lunan.
Ford’s best chance was just before the interval, Robbie Reinelt’s free kick saved by Richard Wilmot. After the break, Glenn Poole almost scored for the visitors when he volleyed across the face of goal.
The Canaries’ new signing, Tom Neill, who had an impressive debut, almost broke the deadlock when he burst through, ran to the by-line but saw his final ball roll away from goal.
In the 67th minute, though, Sozzo put Hitchin ahead, racing onto a through-ball and placing his shot past Lunan from the edge of the area.
Sozzo could have had a second goal when he flicked a Wayne Mills cross just wide of the target.
In the 76th minute, Ford equalised, Reinelt crisply heading home from a corner.
Hitchin could still have snatched victory, however when recent signing Stuart Lochhead struck the crossbar with a volley.
Hitchin Town: Wilmot, Bone, Duffy, Neill, Covington, Maynard, Jaggard, Lochhead, Sozzo (Lamacraft 76), Bridge, Nicholl (Mills 68)
