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Carshalton Athletic 1 Hitchin Town 1

Saturday, November 24 2007

The Darran Hay era got underway with a battling draw at Carshalton in the FA Trophy, where the Canaries came from behind to take this third qualifying round tie to Top Field.

It could have so easily gone wrong for Hay as the home side took the lead in under two minutes, Jack MacLeod crossing for Barry Stevens to shoot home. Carshalton were the dominant side early on and Luke Fontana could have increased their lead when presented with a chance but his effort was way too high.

Hitchin began to get their share of possession and Shane Hill went close when he turned and shot wide of the target.

But Carshalton were almost gifted another goal when a back pass by Lance Gentle-King almost shot past his own keeper, but for a last gasp clearance by Ricky Perks.

The second half was a different affair, however, with Hay making some adjustments to his formation, shifting David Deeney into midfield. Hill threatened the Carshalton goal once more, making space for himself before seeing his shot pushed away by home keeper Aaron Howe.

Hitchin continued to pressure and 15 minutes from time, they were rewarded with a goal. A through ball was followed by substitute David Iwediuno and a Carshalton defender and Howe failed to clear the danger. Iwediuno took advantage, pushed the ball away from the keeper and rolled it into the net.

Hitchin looked the likely winners at this point and a Matt Childs low cross caused the Carshalton defence to panic. Hill went close again and Richard Pringle, enjoying his best game so far for the Canaries, almost clinched victory when his header struck the woodwork.

At the opposite end, Carshalton had two breaks that could have ended in disaster, but Perks was at his best to stop Stevens' effort.

The game ended in some disarray as a brawl broke out as the teams left the field. Carshalton midfielder Tony Quinton was red-carded amid the melee.

Carshalton: Howe, Cooper, Watts, Graves, Harwood, Quinton, MacLeod (Wright 60), Evans, Fontana, Stevens, Johnson

Hitchin: Perks, Deeney, Mountford, Williams, Frater, L.Gentle-King, Sealey, Hill, Pringle, Orphanou (Childs 70), Ducket (Iwediuno 22)

Attendance: 222

Referee: A.Davies