Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 1 Northwood 0
Wednesday, April 18 2007
Hitchin won their second successive home game in four days when they beat relegation threatened Northwood at Top Field on Tuesday night.
Not since December had the Canaries won consecutive games. After the grim run that started in January, Hitchin have now secured their place in the BGB Southern Premier Division for next season.
It was a much improved and far more confident performance by the Canaries, with the deciding goal coming 15 minutes from time from the penalty spot. The scorer was Martin Standen, who netted his third penalty strike since joining the club.
Hitchin could have had a number of goals in the first half after playing some fast and direct attacking football. Jon Stevenson, Ryan Charles and Gavin Jaggard all went close to opening the scoring, Charles going closes with a glancing header that went just wide. At the other end, Michael Parkin pulled off two good saves, notably when he tipped a header from Ryan Tackley over the bar.
The second half was less impressive, but in the 75th minute, Mark Ducket was brought down in the penalty area and Standen stroked home the penalty kick.
Northwood struck the crossbar through Harry Hunt four minutes from the end, but Hitchin held on to climb the table and banish any thoughts of relegation.
Hitchin: Parkin, Deeney, A.Scanlon, Gentle-King, Frater, Lamacraft, Williams, Stevenson, Standen, Charles (Orphanou 42), Ducket
Northwood: Fishenden, Hogan (Nolan 78), Tackley, Hewitt, Norman, Carter, Juliene, Hunt, Dean, Buchanan, Murphy