Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Salisbury City 3 Hitchin Town 0
Saturday, April 8 2006
Hitchin were beaten by the Southern League champions-elect Salisbury at a windy out-of-town stadium in front of almost 1,000 people - but the Canaries left the historic city knowing that their Premier division status is all but secure for
next season.
This was Hitchin’s last game before their two-legged Errea Cup final with Bromsgrove Rovers. For 45 minutes, Darren Salton’s men demonstrated why Salisbury manager Nick Holmes consider them top five material for next season.
But Salisbury went in at half-time a goal ahead, underlining that possession and pressure without execution means nothing.
For all Hitchin’s pressure, they only created one half chance that Thomas Hayes missed. In the 31st minute, however, Salisbury went ahead, an Alex Haddow cross being met by Wayne Turk and although Richard Wilmot saved his shot, Luke Prince
was on hand to score from close range.
In the second half, Hitchin continued to pressurise Salisbury, but only tenuous chances fell to Josh Sozzo and Luke Maitland. Sozzo also had one shot blocked in front of goal by a defender.
In the 71st minute, Salisbury added a second goal. A high ball into the penalty area was nodded down by Rob Matthews and Turk shot home from close range.
Nine minutes later, it was 3-0 as a curling cross into the penaly area was headed into the net by the tall and imposing Matthews. It was Matthews’ last involvement as he was injured as he scored.
Turk could have had another goal in the final seconds, but his shot sailed too high.
Hitchin Town: Wilmot, Pugh, Ducket, Hammonds, Folds, Deeney, Lamacraft, Hicks (Phelan 71), Hayes (Jaggard h/t), Sozzo, French (Matthews 58)