Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Cheshunt 1 Hitchin Town 2
Tuesday, October 25 2005
Hitchin extended their unbeaten run to four games with a comfortable and well deserved victory at Cheshunt.
The Canaries are coming into some form at the right time, just ahead of their big FA Trophy clash with Bedford Town on November 12. The win at Cheshunt was their first away from home since February, and underlined the growing confidence in Darren Salton’s side.
But the home side had the upper hand in the opening stages, with Lloyd Opara going close on no less than three occasions. When Hitchin scored, in the 26th minute, it was against the run of play and owed much to a defensive slip by Cheshunt.
Ryan Bernard played a back pass to his goalkeeper, but it was underhit and Josh Sozzo nipped in to score with an angled shot past Martin Peat.
From this point, Hitchin started to dominate and Daniel French and Leeyon Phelan both had chances to score.
It was Phelan that netted Hitchin’s second goal in the 54th minute. French ran down the wing, sent in a low cross, and although there was some hesitation, Phelan drove the ball into the net.
Cheshunt responded well, however, and Stuart Lochhead had to clear off the line from George Gregoriou. Opara also should have done better when he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
French was in fine form for the Canaries and had three shots that were blasted wide. And then he ran 30 yards with the ball before being blocked by Peat, which would have been an outstanding goal.
In the last minute, Opara netted for Cheshunt, but by this time, Hitchin were looking ahead to their clash with Aylesbury United.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Townley, Ayres, Hammonds, Jenner (Mills 76), Cavill (Lamacraft 82), Lochhead, French, Phelan (Hayes 61), Sozzo, Pugh