Hitchin Town Football Club
Founded 1865, Reformed 1928
Hitchin Town 0 Crystal Palace 1
Sunday, August 5 2007
Hitchin completed their pre-season programme at home with a lack-lustre performance against a young Crystal Palace eleven.
Hitchin were without a number of players and they rarely troubled the London side. Early on, however, they created some half chances, firstly when Adam Cunnington headed past the post.
Defender Scott Cretton was Hitchin’s most dangerous player, heading over the bar from a Ben L’Honore corner and then with a header that was cleared off the line.
Hitchin trialist Daniel Douglas was set-up by Jon Stevenson but scuffed his shot in front of goal. Douglas showed some good touches, nevertheless, and seemed to have the sort of energy that has been lacking up front in pre-season.
Palace took the lead in the 49th minute when Jamie Dayton shot home on the left hand side of the Hitchin penalty area.
Hitchin’s two goalkeeper, Ricky Perks and Martin Bennett, kept the score down with a number of good saves. Bennett did well in the closing stages when he tipped an effort from Dayton over the bar.
Hitchin: Perks, Deeney, Okai, Childs, Cretton, Stevenson, Williams, Hill, Cunnington, Douglas, L’Honore. Subs: N.Frater, N.Gentle-King, Hoyte, Lamacraft, Arlick, Simpson, Bennett, Orphanou