Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Banbury United 2 Hitchin Town 1
Sunday, March 13 2005
The Canaries may still have a few nervous moments this season before their Premier Division place is safe after this disappointing performance at Banbury.
Both sides were in need of the points, particularly Banbury, who were hovering nervously above the relegation line before the game. On the evidence of a poor 90 minutes, both teams lacked confidence as much as anything else.
Banbury took the lead in the 19th minute with their first worthwhile attack. A low cross by Matthew Goodrick rolled invitingly for Chris Potter who shot home from six yards.
Hitchin’s equalised in the 32nd minute was a spectacular strike by Jim Duffy, who hit a crisp, swerving left-footed drive past Simon Tricker from outside the area.
Banbury had a late chance in the first half to go ahead once more, but George Redknapp’s flying header went just inches past the post.
Hitchin started well in the second half, but failed to really test Tricker. The best opportunities fell to Banbury, notably a snap shot by Howard Forinton that was well saved by Richard Wilmot.
Misplaced passes and an overall lack of control characterised much of the second half, and the 600-plus people had little to warm them. Banbury regained the lead 12 minutes from time, Forinton heading home from Potter’s cross.
The Canaries could still have saved the game in the very last minute with a scramble in the goalmouth that saw about half a dozen chances go begging.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Barr, McMenamin, Lamacraft, McCulloch, Cavill (Furness 75), Hassan (Hoyte 86), Hill, Lewis, Sozzo, Duffy
