Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Heybridge Swifts 4 Hitchin Town 2
Wednesday, November 12 2003
For the second game running, Hitchin’s shortcomings were cruelly exposed by their opponents, resulting in another emphatic defeat for Robbie O’Keefe’s team.
Hitchin were blitzed by three Heybridge goals in the first 27 minutes. Earlier, Adam Parker had shot into the side-netting, but it was not long before the home side took control.
In the ninth minute, a long run by Neil Cousins, leaving defenders in his wake, ended with the Heybridge striker slotting the ball past Richard Wilmot. Nine minutes later, K.K. Opara added the second goal with a close range shot after the Hitchin defence failed to clear the danger.
Hitchin’s misery was compounded further in the 27th minute when a free kick was headed home by Cousins.
The second half saw Hitchin improve but rarely threaten the Heybridge goal. O’Keefe brought on new signing Leeyon Phelan, and he scored with a shot inside the penalty area after 73 minutes.
But Heybridge responded immediately with Russ Williamson adding his side’s fourth goal. Hitchin pulled another goal back from the penalty spot - Chris Dillon scoring after Phelan was brought down in the area.
The result left Hitchin in no doubt that a tough winter is ahead of them.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Bone, Rydeheard, Frater, Childs, Scott (Hill 84), Maynard (Phelan 69), Abbott, Dillon, Parker, Evans(Williams h/t)