Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Northwood 2 Hitchin Town 0
Tuesday, March 13 2007
Hitchin fans are starting to look towards the bottom end of the BGB Premier Division after their side's ninth defeat in 13 games.
This was among Hitchin’s worst performances of the season against a team that had not won at home since early December. Northwood were bottom of the table before the game and are widely tipped for relegation. On the evidence of recent form, the Canaries may be scrambling for their own Premier Division status at the end of April.
There was little to commend in this display and but for goalkeeper Rob Beckwith, Hitchin would have been on the end of a real trouncing.
Northwood took the lead on 17 minutes when Harry Hunt raced through and took advantage of some hesitation before firing past Beckwith.
Hitchin did retaliate and a cross-cum-shot from Daniel French was tipped over by Northwood goalkeeper Mikhael Kaimez-Ruiz. A shot by Gavin Jaggard bobbled wide and French had another effort that went into the side-netting. Recent signing Michael Standen went close with a header.
Three minutes into the second half, Northwood scored again, Dwane Williams turning and shooting home from close range. The home side then went on the rampage with Damon Ming denied by Beckwith twice and the Hitchin goalkeeper pulling off an excellent save from Elliott Buchanan. Beckwith then saved a point blank volley from Hunt. Matt Childs also came to the rescue when he cleared off the line from Ming.
In the closing minutes, Peter Dean shot across the face of goal with Hitchin all at sea.
Northwood: Jaimez-Ruiz, Holland, Murphy, Hogan, Shipperley, Carter (Sparrowhawk 87), D.Williams, Buchanan, Hunt (Hall 82), Dean, Ming
Hitchin: Beckwith, Childs, Ducket, Frater, Cretton, Deeney (Lamacraft 71), C.Williams, Standen, Charles, Jaggard, French
Referee: T.Power
Attendance: 124