Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 0 Merthyr Tydfil 2
Saturday, December 4 2004
Managerless Hitchin were comfortably brushed aside by a strong and fast-moving Merthyr side, making it two home defeats in a week for the Canaries.
Despite a lot of huffing and puffing in the first half, neither side could create much in the way of goalscoring opportunities. Merthyr felt they should have had a penalty when Richard Wilmot upended Gary Shephard, but the best chances fell to Hitchin.
Darran Hay was denied twice by Merthyr goalkeeper Ashley Morris, notably when the striker met Rory Hutton’s cross at the near post but saw his effort saved.
After the interval it was a different story as Merthyr took control. Just 13 seconds into the restart, Shephard struck the post with a shot and Rob French followed up to score.
Three minutes later, Shephard was sent clear by French and his low shot beat Wilmot from the edge of the area.
Shephard could have had another goal shortly afterwards, but Wilmot punched his shot away. And as the Welshmen took total control, Shephard created a chance for Chris Bale, but his shot was high and wide.
Hitchin refused to give in, but were unable to create a single chance of note.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Old, Kidd, Covington, Smith, Cavill, Hassan, Potter (Osborn 80), Hay, McMenamin, Hutton
