Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 3 Kingstonian 0
Saturday, September 20 2003
Who needs Dean Brennan? That was the message echoing around Top Field as Hitchin put a traumatic week behind them.
Brennan’s self-conducted move to Stevenage was greeted with no more than a shrug of the shoulder by Hitchin’s players. He may have left scorched earth behind him, but his former team-mates proved that there is still fertile soil at Top Field.
The Canaries put on a far more cohesive performance and players who were previously in the shadow of the Irishman suddenly flourished.
And the week’s other talking point, Adam Parker, came back to the club and played a key role in Hitchin’s victory.
It was an eight-minute blitz that won this game for Hitchin. But they had to survive an early scare when Sofiane Mehdhi’s shot was cleared off the line by Jon Bone.
In the 11th minute, Hitchin took the lead when Carl Williams’ cross ran into the area, Chris Dillon challenged goalkeeper Lance Key and the ball ran loose to Matt Nolan, who shot low into the net.
Six minutes later, James Osborn scored Hitchin’s second with a superb free kick from outside the penalty area.
Hitchin’s burst of scoring wasn’t over yet and in the 19th minute, Parker’s through ball found Nolan and he ran on to score with a well-placed shot.
Kingstonian went close in the opening stages of the second half when Craig Lewington’s first time effort was saved at the post by James Robinson.
But Hitchin could have added to the scoreline, with Nolan creating a chance for Dillon and then Dillon setting up substitute Kevin Evans, only to be denied by Lance Key.
Hitchin manager Robbie O’Keefe demanded the start of a new era before the game and his players gave him the perfect response.
Assistant Manager Kerry Dixon said afterwards, "That’s the best we’ve played since I came to the club."
Hitchin: Robinson, Bone, Rydeheard, Frater, McElroy, Dillon, Williams, Osborn,(Scott 76), Nolan (Mills 78), Parker (Evans 86), Maynard
