Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Bedford Town 3 Hitchin Town 2
Wednesday, December 26 2007
Canaries manager Darran Hay was bitterly disappointed that his side was left pointless from this local derby against Bedford at the New Eyrie.
Hay felt Hitchin should have come away with a draw and highlighted a series of defensive lapses that led to all three Bedford goals. "We should have got something from this game. There was little between the two sides and what we are seeing at the moment is a lack of self-belief amongst our team that they can compete at this level."
Hay feels that some of Hitchin's recent acquisitions are struggling to adapt to playing BGB Premier football because of a lack of confidence. "It will come right for these lads but the problem we have is that we have to adjust quickly, we cannot afford to wait too long." In short, this means Hay is already on the look-out to strengthen his squad as the Canaries go into the New Year deeply embedded in a fight against relegation.
At Bedford, Hitchin went into a 40th minute lead, when Paul Armstrong slotted home after a high ball found the diminutive front-man. Five minutes into the second half, however, Bedford levelled, Stuart Sinclair scoring from close range after being left totally unmarked. Bedford took the lead in the 65th minute through Jonathan Wolff after an attack down the right flank.
Hitchin responded well, though, and drew level in the 73rd minute through midfielder David Deeney, who scored with a magnificent free kick from 30 yards.
But the Canaries fell behind again four minutes later, Ricky Perks spilling a cross and James Hatch took full advantage to seal the points.
Although Hay was anxious about the manner of defeat, he has seen signs of improvement over the past three games. "Game by game, we are seeing some progression, and we have some lads coming back from injury over the next few weeks, we just need a good result to get us going."
Bedford: Amaegbe, Miller, Lawley, Grieve, Gentle, Farrell, Woolf, Stupple, Hatch, Lyon, Sinclair
Hitchin: Perks, Mountford, Barr, Kierans, Gilbert, Pepper, Olaleye (Pringle 82), Deeney, Donnelly, Armstrong, Nash (Kenneford 67)
Attendance: 611
Referee: N.Hair