Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 3 Kings Lynn 0
Saturday, January 22 2005
Hitchin manager Darren Salton called for a positive attitude for the remaining weeks of the season but if his team plays like this, he will have no problem in raising the spirits at Top Field.
A goal from a 16 year-old starlet – Ieuan Lewis - and a brace from an old Conference campaigner – Darran Hay - lit up a game that saw the Canaries complete their first “double” of the season.
But Hitchin had to survive some first half pressure from Kings Lynn, with Richard Wilmot pulling off good saves from Jack Defty and Danny Bloomfield. Wilmot came to the rescue again just before the interval when he saved a difficult free kick by Mark Angel. Once Lewis found his feet, his pace unsettled Kings Lynn and just after half-time he went close with a first-time shot that was blocked by goalkeeper John Higgs.
Kings Lynn has their chances, too, notably when Defty volleyed over the bar from six yards.
Darren Hay in action, above.
Lewis gave the Canaries the lead in the 59th minute, appearing to collide with Higgs before recovering and shooting into the net. Hitchin grew in confidence from this point and there was only ever going to be one winner.
In the 71st minute, Hitchin extended their lead when Hay volleyed past Higgs from close range from a well-placed free kick by Shane Hill.
Eight minutes from time, Hay added another goal, firing the ball high into the roof of the net after Bilal Hassan’s earlier effort had been blocked.
“That was a good solid all-round team performance,” said Salton.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Baldry, McMenamin, Smith, Ayres, Cavill, Lamacraft, Hill, Hay, Lewis, Hassan
