Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 0 Thurrock 0
Wednesday, October 22 2003
Although this was scarcely a classic, Hitchin had the satisfaction of extending their unbeaten run to two games and keeping another clean sheet.
The Canaries will claim, with some justification, that they should have had a last minute penalty, but referee Mr Young ignored Hitchin’s pleas as Chris Dillon was upended in the area.
Hitchin had the better of the first half, with low shots from Paul Abbott and Carl Williams threatening to give them the lead. James Ayres also went close with a pile driver following a free kick.
Thurrock also had their chances, notably when former Hitchin midfielder Jeran Meah saw his volley saved by Richard Wilmot.
Stuart Maynard just failed to connect with a Dillon cross just after the interval, but as the game wore on, Hitchin’s early confidence seemed to evaporate.
Another ex-Hitchin favourite, Cliff Akurang, tried his best to give his team the upper hand, but Wilmot stopped him in his tracks as he shaped to walk the ball into the net.
The best chance of the game fell to substitute James Osborn, who failed to get power and direction on his effort after the ball had rolled across the face of goal. Within seconds, Tresor Kandol had Thurrock’s best chance, outfoxing Ryan Frater and shooting into the side netting.
After Dillon was sent sprawling in the area in the dying seconds, David Lee had a golden opportunity to snatch victory for the visitors, but his free header sailed wide of the target.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Bone, Rydeheard, Frater, Ayres, Evans (Osborn 62), Williams, Abbott, Dillon, Furness (Mills 62), Maynard
Hitchin will not be travelling to Thame United next Tuesday in the Bryco Cup. Their second round tie will be on Tuesday November 18, Kick Off 7.45pm.
