Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 0 Barnet 1

Thursday, July 13 2006

Hitchin went down to a first half goal in their second pre-season friendly of the summer, losing to a strong Barnet side.

The Canaries were still without their full squad for this game and fielded former players Dean Brennan and Adam Parker, and brought on the veteran Ian Scott.

The first half, very much played at training-match pace, saw Barnet dominate. They went ahead after 29 minutes, Harry Hunt’s header was parried by the Canaries’ new goalkeeper Paul Taylor and the striker followed up to shot home from close range. Hunt and Paul Warhurst both had chances to extend Barnet’s lead just before the break.

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough changed his entire team at the interval, and one of the new men, Jason Puncheon, went close twice in the early stages. In the 72nd minute, Barnet were awarded a penalty when Hitchin replacement keeper Martin Patching brought down Alexis Nicolas in the area. Patching saved Giuliano Grazioli’s penalty kick with his feet.

Hitchin’s first chance on goal came in the 80th minute when Carl Williams rounded goalkeeper Lee Harrison and rolled his effort across goal. There were further late efforts for Parker and Leon Townley, but neither seriously threatened the Barnet goal.

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