Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 2 Hemel Hempstead 3

Tuesday, November 8 2005

Hitchin’s Herts Senior Cup campaign came to an end at the first hurdle as the Canaries were beaten by Southern League Division West side Hemel Hempstead at Top Field.

Despite taking a first half lead, a weakened Hitchin line-up capitulated in the second half , a far from ideal preparation for the upcoming FA Trophy tie with Bedford Town.

Thomas Hayes put Hitchin ahead in the 13th minute, shooting home from a Daniel French cross. Earlier, the Canaries had created a number of chances, notably when French shot wide and Hayes had a goal disallowed.

Hemel levelled after 41 minutes through Steve Hale and its was Hale who scored again in the 72nd minute with a well taken free kick that eluded the Hitchin wall.

Aaran Cavill and Mark Ducket both had chances to score, but eight minutes from time, Dean Buss headed another goal for Hemel.

Substitute Mark Bridge netted a superb goal from outside the area in the 85th minute to make for an exciting finale, but Hitchin were unable to complete a dramatic comeback in the closing stages.

Hitchin: Wilmot, Small (Lamacraft 65), Ducket, Cretton, Hammonds, J.Mills (Bridge 72) , Cavill, Jenner, Hayes, W.Mills, French

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