Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Mangotsfield Utd 1 Hitchin Town 0
Saturday, September 3 2005
The Canaries were left goalless for the first time this season after narrowly losing at newly-promoted Mangotsfield. In many respects, this was a similar tale to the previous week's defeat at Rugby - Hitchin enjoyed a large share of the game without applying the killer touch.
If there is some consolation for manager Darren Salton it is that his team are creating plenty of chances - they just need to convert some of those chances to get back to winning ways. And at Mangotsfield, they came up against a well marshalled defence that gives away few goals.
Before Mangotsfield scored their crucial goal after 30 minutes, Tommy Hayes had actually breached that defence following a corner but the referee ruled his effort out. The goal was a soft affair and came after David Anyinsah had rolled the ball across goal for Luke Corbett to stroke it past Richard Wilmot.
Aaran Cavill, Hayes, James Ayres and Chris McMenamin all had chances to level the scores before half-time and came out in determined mood at the start of the second period.
Cavill had a long shot that was well saved by goalkeeper Danny Greaves in a flurry of activity after the break. Hayes and Cavill also had shots clocked as Hitchin pushed forward. But at the other end, Daniel French had to clear off the line from Rob Claridge and Wilmot had to save a point blank effort from the big centre forward.
Jonathan Mills met a Glen Lamacraft cross but a defender appeared to handle and a Mark Bridge long-range shot sailed just over Greaves' goal. French also went close with a curling shot that was saved by Greaves. Right at the death, Wilmot prevented another Mangotsfield goal when he saved from Seal.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Lamacraft, Ducket, Baldry, Ayres, McMenamin (Hassan 81), Cavill (Lochhead 70),Mills, Sozzo, Hayes (Bridge 65), French