Hitchin Town Football Club

Royston Town 0 Hitchin Town 2

Wednesday, August 6 2003

Hitchin completed their pre-season friendly programme with victory at Garden Walk in a bruising and bad tempered encounter with Royston Town.

There was a price to pay however, in that new signing Andy Douglas was sent off in the 65th minute after a melee involving several players from both sides.

Hitchin fielded virtually their strongest side, and included striker Matt Nolan who has been training with Chesterfield and Peterborough in recent weeks. Dean Brennan, who is also being courted by Peterborough, was not in the squad.

The Canaries were on top for most of the first half, although it was still goalless at the interval. Chances fell to James Osborn, Douglas, Adam Parker and Chris Dillon.

Nolan replaced Carl Williams just before the break, and had an opportunity to score in the early stages of the second half. Hitchin`s first goal came on the hour with Douglas finishing off a cross by the industrious Dillon.

Hitchin`s second goal came 13 minutes from the end, substitute Jon Bone netting with a left foot drive after Nolan`s header rebounded off a post.

Robbie O’Keefe`s side meet St.Albans City next Tuesday in the Herts Charity Cup.

Hitchin: Graham, Childs (Maynard 66), Rydeheard, Ayres, Coll, Frater (Bone 66), Williams (Nolan 43), Osborn (Yiga 78), Douglas, Parker, Dillon (Scott 78)

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