Hitchin Town Football Club

Barton Rovers 2 Hitchin Town 1

Thursday, July 24 2008

A cluster of former Hitchin players, including former prolific scorer Josh Sozzo, were determined to beat their former club on a bucolic evening in Barton.

The Canaries were not at their best, playing their second game in three days. "It was a warm night and the lads looked a little jaded - two games in a short space of time took its toll."

Hitchin started well, however, and Paul Barnes, who has looked very sharp in pre-season, went close with two efforts. In truth, Hitchin should have been ahead before Barton took the lead in the 25th minute, Hitchin old boy Stuart Beevor stroking home after Fraser Toms' shot had been blocked.

Barton extended their lead after 35 minutes, the unmarked Liam George volleying past Martin Bennett following a high cross by Matt Childs.

It wasn't until four minutes from time that Hitchin pulled a goal back, Mark Smith easily heading past the Barton keeper from a Jon Woolf corner.

Hitchin: Bennett (Windsor 83), Barr (Clark 67), Wilson, Stupple, Gross (Gilbert 60), Smith, Williams, Gregson (McArdle 70), P.Barnes (Thorne 67), Ball (M.Barnes 60), Woolf

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