Hitchin Town Football Club

Bedford Town 1 Hitchin Town 2

Sunday, April 18 2004

Hitchin revived their flagging play-off hopes with a deserved win against a lack-lustre Bedford side in this one-sided local derby.

With two games to go, the Canaries could sneak into the end-of-season scramble to get into the Conference South.

The big difference between Hitchin and their hosts was Josh Sozzo, the former Bedford striker who came back to haunt his old side, and experienced front-man Darran Hay.

Sozzo opened the scoring after 24 minutes, turning and sending a deflected shot over the head of Bedford keeper Ian Brown. Sozzo, who's fitness has been suspect since joining Hitchin in January, clearly enjoyed the moment!

Bedford failed to trouble Hitchin in the first half and if anything, the visitors could have been further ahead by half-time, Tom Neill and Dean McElroy both going close with volleys.

In the 63rd minute, Hitchin did find the back of the net with a superbly-crafted goal. Hay started the move on the halfway line, fed Stuart Maynard and his deft cross was glanced into the net by Hay. The veteran striker has really been in good form recently and at Bedford, he demonstrated the wealth of experience he possesses.

Hay went close to adding to his tally with two headers from Maynard free-kicks. And Sozzo also teased Bedford some more before shooting into the side-netting.

Six minutes from time, Bedford carved out their only real chance of the second half when Drew Roberts shot through the legs of Richard Wilmot to reduce the arrears. A few nervous moments remained in the dying seconds, but Hitchin fully earned their victory.

Hitchin: Wilmot, Neill, Covington (Evans 48), Burke (Childs 33), Frater, McElroy, Sozzo (Hassan 85), Maynard, Hay, Lamacraft, Lochhead

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