Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 2 Clevedon Town 2

Saturday, January 31 2009

Hitchin were cruelly robbed of only their second league win at home this season after looking comfortable for much of the game. With 90 minutes gone, the Canaries led 2-0 and looked set for the three points, but two goals in added time gave Clevedon a draw.

Hitchin made yet more changes to their line-up, bringing in a new goalkeeper, Luke Woods and striker, Tom Davis. Both made a good impression as Hitchin dominated the first half.

Davis linked up well with centre forward Paul Barnes, creating two chances for the Hitchin’s leading scorer that were well saved by Clevedon goalkeeper Danny Greaves.

On the stroke of half-time, Clevedon went close to scoring when Tom Billing’s far post header was saved by Woods.

But within a minute of the restart, Hitchin took the lead. Davis passed into the area to Barnes and he sent a well-placed shot curling wide of Greaves.

In the 52^nd minute, Hitchin extended their lead thanks to a superb strike from midfielder Jon Stevenson. His low shot from 40 yards had just enough pace to beat Greaves from an extraordinary distance.

As the game wore on, however, Hitchin played deeper and deeper and this gave Clevedon some hope of a comeback. It was not until the 90^th minute that they pulled a goal back. Josh Brigham, who was lucky to remain on the pitch after a vicious lunge at Ollie Thorne, swung his boot at a cross and scored from close range.

Hitchin still looked capable of hanging on, but in the sixth minute of added time, Sam Small dived to head home from a corner. It was rough justice on Hitchin, but a lesson in concentration for the home side.

Hitchin Town (0)2 Clevedon Town (0)2

Hitchin: Woods, Grinham, Pepper, Williams, McDevitt, Thorne, Lewis, E’Beyer, P.Barnes (M.Barnes 67), Davis, Stevenson

Scorers: P.Barnes 46, Stevenson 52

Clevedon: Greaves, Brigham, Walsh, Molyneaux, Peckham, Collins, Bassett (Loxton 67), Wring, Billing (Small h/t), Kift, Sheppard (Hajgeto h/t)

Scorers: Brigham 90, Small 90

Referee: B.Williams

Attendance: 254