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Mangotsfield United 0 Hitchin Town 0

Sunday, September 9 2007

Hitchin extended their unbeaten run to three games and picked up their fourth away point in eight days in a tame contest at Mangotsfield.

The first half was an even affair with few chances for either side. Hitchin's on-loan signing, Tyron Sealey went on an impressive run before sending over a cross-cum-shot that went wide of the target. Jon Stevenson also had an effort that was wide of the Mangotsfield goal.

At the break, Hitchin were marginally the better side but there was little to cheer the crowd at Cossham Street.

It was more of the same in the second period, but Hitchin went closest to scoring when a David Deeney free kick caused problems in the home defence but a last ditch clearance saved the day. Ricky Perks pulled off a good save from Ellis Wilmot as Mangotsfield tried to step up a gear.

Perks had to be at his best to save from Alan Griffin but it was still Hitchin that shaded the exchanges. Shane Hill also had a chance for Hitchin with 20 minutes remaining.

Darren Salton made some changes to try and snatch victory, Sealey making way for the giant Leon Simpson and Jon Stevenson being replaced by Richard Pringle.

Simpson had the chance of the game in the final minute when he raced through and saw his volley go wide of Tony Malessa's goal. There was still time for Perks to make a great save in the dying seconds.

There was plenty to be encouraged about with good performances by Carl Williams and Ryan Frater, and a clean sheet away from home suggests that Hitchin's defensive problems of last season may have been cured.

The general consensus was that a draw was a fair result, but it could so easily have been three for the Canaries.

Mangotsfield: Malessa, Ball, Beswetherick, Thorne, Milsom, French, Wilmot (Hawkins 61), Bailey, Griffin, Ballinger, Wheeler

Hitchin: Perks, Deeney, Mountford, Frater, L.Gentle-King, James, Sealey, James, Sealey, Hill, Stevenson (Simpson 82), Williams, Mills

Referee: J.Flynn

Attendance: 176