Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 2 Bath City 2
Saturday, December 3 2005
Hitchin staged a dramatic recovery to earn a point against Bath City, but in truth, the Canaries could have had all three from this entertaining game.
Bat started well and Hitchin goalkeeper had to pull off a point blank save from Jon Holloway's shot. But in the 22nd minute, Bath went ahead when a move across the Hitchin goal was finished by Andy Sandell who shot in off the post.
After the goal, Hitchin responded well and Bath goalkeeper Justin Shuttlewood saved from Daniel French and Josh Sozzo shot wide after being set clear by Stuart Lochhead.
French was again the danger man for Hitchin when he went close twice, firstly with a low shot and then with a volley across the face of goal.
The second period started slowly but Bath extended their lead after 59 minutes, Sandell shooting home from an acute angle after beating two defenders.
French had the chance to pull one back for Hitchin but saw his six-yard shot pushed for a corner by Shuttlewood. Hitchin finally scored after 65 minutes when Glen Lamacraft headed Aaran Cavill's cross into the net following a corner. Within a minute, it was all-square as Sozzo prodded home after French had pulled the ball back from the byline.
Hitchin's management team was pleased with the comeback and a draw against one of the league's better sides sent the Hitchin players off to Dublin for their Christmas party in good spirits.
Hitchin: Wilmot, J.Mills, Ayres, Hammonds, Lamacraft, Cavill, Lochhead, French, Hayes (Bridge 78, Maitland 88), Sozzo, Pugh (Ducket h/t)