Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 0 Stamford 0
Saturday, September 25 2004
Mark Smith, arguably one of the most successful players to come through Hitchin Town’s ranks, returned like the prodigal son to shore up the Canaries defence.
Hitchin kept a clean-sheet with Smith playing a key role. “It felt strange to be back,” said Smith. “But I am going to enjoy this.” It was Hitchin-born Smith’s first game for his home town club since 1992.
Few in the crowd enjoyed this game, a dour 90 minutes characterised by poor finishing. Stamford had the better of the first half and Hitchin dominated the second period, but neither side could find the back of the net.
Twice towards the end of the first half crosses from Ryan Nash threatened to give Stamford the lead. The first ended with Kevin Byrne heading into the side-netting and the second saw Jason Turner just fail to connect as he dived headlong.
After the interval, Hitchin had their best chance when Mark Bridge met an Ian Scott corner and the ball rolled against the post. Substitute James Potter looked lively when coming on but after a good run, he screwed his shot wide.
At the other end, the afternoon was summed up when Stamford’s Matt Green shot wide with only Richard Wilmot to beat.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Barr, Old, Smith, Baldry, Scott, Sozzo, Cavill, Bridge, McMenamin (Hassan 77), Duffy (Potter 59)
