Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 6 Alesey Town 0

Sunday, August 8 2004

Josh Sozzo was in sizzling form on a tropical afternoon at Top Field as the Canaries rediscovered their goal touch against hapless Arlesey Town, scoring a first half hat-trick.

Hitchin fielded what may be almost their starting line-up for the new campaign, and the form of players like Sozzo, Gavin Jaggard and new full back Gordon Barr will have given their fans heart for the coming season.

Sozzo opened the scoring after 17 minutes after a well-rehearsed free kick taken by returning favourite Stuart Maynard. A similar move later on resulted in Maynard striking the post.

Sozzo netted twice in three minutes at the end of the half, the first a shot after yet another Maynard free kick, the second a nice turn and shot wide of Scott Walters in the Arlesey goal.

Hitchin's fourth goal was an own goal by Nathan Beckett after good work by Mark Bridge in the 62nd minute. And eight minutes later, a two-footed lunge by Jaggard ended with the ball rolling into the net.

The scoring was completed by Ricky Case, who sent a spectacular 25-yard chip into the net after his first cross to Darran Hay had been headed back to him.

Six goals provided a real morale booster for Hitchin, but Arlesey are far weaker than they were last season and Hednesford next Saturday will be a very different proposition.

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