Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 2 Cinderford Town 1
Saturday, November 3 2007
Hitchin's good form in cup competitions continued in this eventful FA Trophy second qualifying round tie against a useful Cinderford side.
This season, controversy has been a central part of Hitchin's cup games - and this game was no different. Martin Standen was the matchwinner, thanks to a 76th minute penalty, but he was also red-carded, for the second succesive match.
That aside, Hitchin did well to get through this tie. They looked tired and in the first half, Cinderford looked the better side. Darryl Addis ran them ragged for a long time and the stocky centre forward had a series of chances that could have given Cinderford a healthy lead, notably when Ricky Perks tipped one shot over the bar and then Lance Gentle-King cleared another effort off the line.
Cinderford took a deserved lead after 26 minutes when Tim Haddock headed in of the crossbar following a cross by Craig Tait.
Hitchin's equaliser came in first half added time. David Deeney's shot was spilled by goalkeeper Matt Bath and Ricky Miller followed up to score from close range.
The second half saw more drama as referee Mr Martin, after a busy, card-waving 45 minutes, was injured and had to be replaced. The game was held up for close to 10 minutes.
Cinderford continued to threaten, however, and a long range effort from Dave Wilkinson deflected onto the top of the bar. At the other end, Hitchin went close when Miller raced down the wing and crossed for Wayne Mills to volley over the bar.
Hitchin broke the deadlock, however, in the 75th minute when Miller ran in to meet a low and teasing cross by Deeney but found himself upended. Standen confidently stroked home the penalty kick. Standen was sent off a few minutes later after a series of reckless challenges.
Hitchin: Perks, Childs, Mountford (Simpson 90), Frater, L.Gentle-King, Ducket, Sealey (Iwidiuno 85), Deeney, Standen, Miller (James 79), Mills
Cinderford: Bath, Gascoyne, J.Addis, N.Griffiths, Lewis, Holder, Tait, Wilkinson, D.Addis, S.Griffiths, Haddock
Attendance: 184
Referee: P.Martin