Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Clevedon Town 2 Hitchin Town 2
Sunday, April 22 2007
Two of the softest goals you will ever see were enough to give Hitchin a well deserved point in their final away game of the 2006-07 campaign.
With Premier division status secured a few days earlier, it was a far more relaxed Hitchin side that took to the field at Clevedon, who themselves were still not safe from relegation.
But it was the home side that took the lead in the ninth minute, Mike Symons’ shot taking a wicked deflection on its way past Hitchin goalkeeper Michael Parkin.
Hitchin reacted well to this setback, however, and created a string of chances that went close to levelling the scores. A long range sot by Ryan Charles was pushed away by Clevedon goalkeeper Danny Greaves and the same two players were involved when another chance was cleared off the line in spectacular fashion.
Greaves did well to stop another long-range shot, this time from Jon Stevenson and then a cross by Carl Williams resulted in Gavin Jaggard hitting the crossbar.
Hitchin’s equaliser came a minute from the break. Greaves came out to stop a Hitchin attack, collided with Jaggard but the ball rolled free and was on its way into the net when Charles finished from close range. Greaves was fortunate to only receive a yellow card.
The second period was not as convincing from Hitchin's perspective and in the 56th minute, Clevedon took the lead when Daine O’Connor played through to Jack Pitcher and he placed his shot past Parkin in style.
Hitchin’s second equaliser came nine minutes from the end, a high cross deceiving goalkeeper Greaves and the ball came off the shoulder of Glen Lamacraft and sailed into the net.
A fair result and a reasonable way to end Hitchin's travels this season.
Clevedon: Greaves, Haines, Bater (Page h/t), Romhdane, Hendy, Trought, O’Connor, Rawlins, Pitcher, Symons, Sheppard
Hitchin: Parkin, Deeney, A.Scanlon (Orphanou 62), Gentle-King, Frater, Lamacraft, Williams, Stevenson (Childs 77), Jaggard, Charles, Ducket
Attendance: 177
Referee: L.Swasbey