Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 2 Braintree Town 0

Saturday, May 1 2004

Hitchin dramatically leapfrogged into 20th place and claimed a play-off berth for a place in the newly-formed Conference South.

It was a dramatic afternoon, although the events at Northwood, who lost a nine-goal thriller, provided most of the theatrics. For this game was not only one-sided, it also demonstrated that Braintree's playing affairs are in a far worse state than Hitchin's!

The Canaries could have been three goals ahead before Josh Sozzo's first half opener. Sozzo, Tom Neill and Darran Hay all went close to scoring.

In the 35th minute, however, Glen Lamacraft, who had an outstanding game and is clearly one for the future at Top Field, went on a run down the left, passed inside and Sozzo slotted the ball into the net.

Braintree came more into the game in the second half with Louie Evans volleying over with the goal at his mercy. Then James Baker shot into the side-netting after Richard Wilmot had parried Brad Quinton's effort.

Sozzo, Hay and Neill all had more chances to score, but Rutherford kept the home side at bay. Hay also went close when his delicate chip just cleared the crossbar.

It was left to a freak goal in the 87th minute to seal Hitchin's victory. Hay, inside the six-yard box, saw his shot blocked on the line, but the defender's clearance hit Neill and rebounded into the net.

Hitchin Town: Wilmot, Neill, Lamacraft, Childs, Covington, Scott (Hassan 82), Evans, Maynard, Hay, Sozzo, Lochhead

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