Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 0 Mangotsfield United 0
Saturday, February 4 2006
The game may have ended goalless, but at least Hitchin continued their good run in 2006 with a point against Mangotsfield United.
Canaries fans had plenty to keep them warm in a first half that saw them outplay the visitors. It was a different story in the second half when Hitchin lost their shape, but there was enough in the performance to suggest that Darren Salton's side are still in the ascendancy.
Hitchin welcomed back former favourite Adam Parker, who has joined the club on loan from Conference South side Thurrock. Parker was introduced into the action when Josh Sozzo limped off in the first half.
Sozzo and his partner, Gavin Jaggard, both had volleys wide of the goal in the first period. Daniel French also had a low shot that should have found the back of the net. The closest Hitchin came to scoring, however, was when Mark Ducket's fierce shot struck the underside of the crossbar. Parker had a header that rolled just wide of the target.
Mangotsfield's best chance fell to Martin Paul, a shot across the face of goal.
In the second half, the visitors grew in confidence and Paul brought a good save out of Wilmot after a cross by James Zabek. Glen Lamacraft also cleared a high ball off the line from Ross Casey. At the other end, Lamacraft met a cross by Parker but his volley was saved.
There was a scare for Hitchin in added time when a shot from Rob Claridge was only just stopped by Wilmot.
Hitchin: Wilmot, Pugh, Okai, Hammonds, Folds, Lochhead (Lamacraft h/t), French, Cavill, Jaggard, Sozzo (Parker 37), Ducket (Daniels 70)