Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 0 Hayes 2
Wednesday, October 8 2003
Two First half goals and a second half sending off proved to be Hitchin’s undoing at Top Field as they crashed to their fifth league defeat in six games.
Hayes went ahead after 12 minutes when Scott Forrester volleyed home from close range.
Hitchin responded with a James Osborn free kick that whistled past the post and long-range shot by Craig Rydeheard that was well saved by Hayes goalkeeper Jake Cole.
Towards the end of the first half, Hitchin stepped up a gear, and another free kick by Osborn struck the post. The rebound fell to James Ayres, but Cole managed to deflect his effort away from the goal.
Cole also dived full length to prevent a Chris Dillon cross from causing too much danger.
But Hitchin were caught on the break a minute from the interval. A low cross from Forrester was met by Peter Holsgrove and the veteran striker turned the ball past James Robinson inside the six yard box.
Hitchin were dealt another blow after the interval when Adam Parker was sent off for a second bookable offence. Now down to 10 men, Hitchin’s task was now near-impossible.
Hayes almost extended their lead when Stuart Goodall ran through the middle, avoiding the challenge of three Hitchin players, but Robinson pushed the final effort wide for a corner.
It was clearly not Hitchin’s night and when they did manage to break through the Hayes defence, Ayres’ late shot from close range was saved by Cole.
Hitchin: Robinson, Bone, Rydeheard, Burke, Ayres (Evans 79), Scott (Mills 79), Frater, Osborn, Dillon, Parker, Maynard
