Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 1 St Albans City 0

Wednesday, August 13 2003

A stunning goal by Chris Dillon 13 minutes from time won this lively Herts Charity Cup tie between two sides who will meet again in little over a week's time in the Ryman League.

Dillon, one of the successes of Hitchin's pre-season campaign, sent a spectacular volley past former Canaries keeper Richard Wilmot to score a goal that would grace the highest level.

Hitchin, whilst dominating this game, will be aware that St.Albans, not wishing to show their hand before the league meeting, Saints manager Steve Cook fielded a team that had just two players likely to play in that game, due on August 23.

But Hitchin should have won far more handsomely. Striker Andy Douglas missed an eighth minute penalty and then had two good first-half chances to open the scoring. James Osborn, emerging as an excellent summer signing, saw another effort well saved by Wilmot.

St.Albans, who went close through Greg Deacon on two occasions, rarely threatened James Robinson's goal, but had plenty of pace and youthful vigour.

Matt Nolan and Adam Parker should both have opened the scoring for the Canaries, but as the game wore on extra time beckoned.

The introduction of Ian Scott provided fresh impetus for Hitchin, and it was from his perfectly weighted pass that Dillon volleyed into the net. Scott and Nolan, the latter with a delicate lob, almost added further goals for the Canaries, but one was enough.

Hitchin: Robinson, Childs (Bone 80), McElroy, Frater (Scott 74), Ayres, Coll, Osborn, Dillon, Douglas (Brennan 65), Parker, Nolan

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