Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 1 Carshalton Athletic 2 (aet)
Tuesday, November 27 2007
New Canaries boss Darran Hay was left in little doubt about the task he has in the coming months when his new charges crashed out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Carshalton.
Hay's team failed to rise to the occasion and were typically shot-shy on an evening when the Ryman Premier side deservedly went through to the next round to face controversial internet-owned side Ebbsfleet United.
The Canaries were even given the boost of a third minute lead when Shane Hill netted from the penalty spot. David Iwediuno, who started as brightly as he finished at Carshalton, was brought down by Simon Cooper and Hill made no mistake with his kick.
But that’s where it ended for Hitchin as they rarely looked like adding to their lead. In fact, by half-time, the home fans in the paltry sub-200 crowd, were wondering how their team had stayed ahead. The Canaries had to thank goalkeeper Ricky Perks for pulling off a spectacular save from a Luke Fontana free kick just before the break.
Fontana had two early chances in the opening minutes of the second half, but Hitchin did have their chances to score again, notably a Ryan Frater long range effort that was parried by goalkeeper Aaron Howe.
Inevitably, Carshalton equalised eight minutes from time when Tony Quinton, who was red-carded as he left the pitch in the first meeting, headed home from close range. Hitchin fans feared the worst and in extra time, Barry Stevens netted after good work by Ben Wright.
Near the end, a header from Hitchin substitute Colm Kierans looked to be heading for the net, but Scott Orphanou deflected it over the bar. That was the end of Hitchin’s threat and the disappointment was etched all over Hay’s face. He will doubtless be looking for a rapid improvement from his players.
Hitchin: Perks, Deeney, Mountford, L.Gentle-King, Frater, Williams, Sealey, Hill (Kierans 75), Pringle, Mills (Orphanou 90), Iwediuno (Childs 65)
Carshalton: Howe, Cooper, Watts, Harwood, Quinton, Macleod, Evans (Hamici 64), Fontana, Stevens, Wright (Rayner 114), Johnson
Referee: S.Burt
Attendance: 157