Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hemel Hempstead Town 2 Hitchin Town 0
Wednesday, March 21 2007
Despite another defeat, Hitchin were much more upbeat about their 10th defeat in 15 games.
The Canaries demonstrated far more fight and character against a Hemel side that although below-par themselves, are chasing a play-off position. Hitchin regrouped after losing winger Daniel French 24 hours earlier, who left the club at the weekend, apparently disenchanted with life at Top Field.
It all started well for Hitchin and Glen Lamacraft had a “goal” ruled out for offside after a good through ball by Carl Williams.
Hemel took the lead, however, after 26 minutes, a Martin Standen pass going astray and Anthony Thomas finishing with ease. Two minutes later, defender Shaun Byrne beat Adam Scanlon and fired in Hemel’s second goal from 25 yards.
With goals hard to come by for Hitchin – they have now scored six in 15 games – the portents were not good, but there was no lack of effort from the Canaries. In the second half, they opened brightly, with David Deeney going close and Lamacraft sending two headers over the bar.
Late in the game, Rob Beckwith saved from Abdul Yoki and Hitchin had two efforts, one from Gavin Jaggard and another by Scott Orphanou that went close to reducing the arrears.
Darren Salton was disappointed at another defeat, but was optimistic that his side's poor run may be coming to an end. “We had a team who were ready to fight tonight and I was pleased with the level of effort- you could not fault them for that.”
Hemel: Smith, Wild, Bowden-Haase, Byrne, Yeboah, Brennan, Sinclair (Yoki 73), Herron, Sippetts (Lawford 90), Thomas, Edgeworth (Mapes 36)
Hitchin: Beckwith, Childs, A.Scanlon, Cretton, Frater, Deeney, Williams, Lamacraft, Standen (Orphanou 63), Jaggard, Ducket (Pugh 90)
Referee: S.Burt
Attendance: 184