Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Yate Town 2 Hitchin Town 1
Saturday, November 26 2005
A goal 16 minutes from time put paid to Hitchin at newly-promoted Yate Town in a game that slipped away from the Canaries in the second half.
Hitchin had gone in at half time on level terms, but they failed to build on their late first period recovery and the home side took control from thereon.
Yate took a fifth minute lead when a low cross into the area rolled to Darren Edwards and the tall striker swept the ball into the net. As the home side dominated the early stages, Richard Wilmot pulled off a good save from Paul Metheringham and then the same player missed an open goal.
Towards the end of the half, however, Hitchin started to dominate with Daniel French and Neil Pugh going close. But there was another let-off for the Canaries when Andy Neal blasted over with the goal at his mercy.
In the 45th minute, Darren Salton’s side equalised when a surging run by French ended with a cross that was driven home, at the second attempt, by Josh Sozzo.
The second half started slowly, but Yate started to pressure the Hitchin defence. A header by Jason Wood struck the crossbar and Edwards had another header just wide.
In the 74th minute, Neal, at the far post, slid the ball past Wilmot to restore Yate’s lead.
Hitchin tried, in vain, to get back on level terms. French sent in a low ball for the onrushing Mark Bridge, but goalkeeper Tony Court intercepted. And in the very final seconds of the game, Bridge was blocked as he raced towards goal in a one-on-one situation.
Hitchin: Wilmot, J.Mills, Duffy, Hammonds, Ayres, Lamacraft, Cavill, Pugh,Hayes (W.Mills 79), Sozzo, French