Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 1 Halesowen Town 0
Saturday, January 7 2006
Two wins in a week have given Hitchin the perfect start to 2006. Following the Canaries' 4-1 win against Cheshunt, Darren Salton's men deservedly disposed of Halesowen Town
Hitchin had the better of the opening half and Gavin Jaggard had two chance to score in the first half hour. The first effort saw Jaggard shoot over the bar after being set clear by David Hicks and the second was a 30-yard shot that was screwed wide with Halesowen goalkeeper Dean Coleman off his line.
Josh Sozzo also went close when he beat a defender before driving across the face of goal.
But Halesowen had the best chance of the first half when former Hitchin striker Nathan Lamey struck the post with a shot from inside the six yard box. Lamey also had a well-placed free kick parried for a corner by Richard Wilmot.
Hitchin were presented with the chance to take the lead in the 52nd minute. Jaggard was brought down by defender Gary Knight, but Sozzo's penalty was way too high.Hitchin finally took the lead in the 63rd minute, Jaggard receiving the ball inside the area, spinning in the mud and shooting low past Coleman.
Sozzo almost added to Hitchin's lead when his shot was blocked after Aaran Cavill had squared the ball in his path.
Halesowen almost levelled the scores in the closing stages, but Lamey volleyed wide with the goal at his mercy.
The victory maintains Darren Salton's excellent record against Halesowen. In four league meetings, Hitchin remain unbeaten against the Yeltz.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Lochhead, Okai, Ayres, Folds, Hicks, French (Daniels 72), Cavill, Jaggard, Sozzo, Ducket