Hitchin Town Football Club

Bedford Town 0 Hitchin Town 3

Saturday, July 25 2009

Hitchin shocked Southern League Premier side Bedford with a three-goal second half salvo that capped their best pre-season performance so far.

Although both sides had players missing, this was a highly encouraging win for the Canaries and a real wake-up call for the home side.There were a number of individual performances that cheered Hitchin fans - Mark Smith was outstanding at the back; Tony Fontenelle put in another good display; and Zak Burke continued his impressive pre-season with two more goals.

After a goalless first half, in which both sides had chances, Burke gave the Canaries the lead after 61 minutes with a 20 yard shot.Just after the goal, Neil Thompson almost increased Hitchin's lead shooting against both posts after being set up by Burke.

Thompson wasn't to be denied, scoring Hitchin's second after 70 minutes with a spectacular 25 yard effort.Three minutes later, a tame shot by Burke slipped through the hands of Bedford keeper Joe Burnell and found the back of the net for Hitchin's third goal.

Hitchin almost had another when Jamie Arlick struck the woodwork.Three consecutive clean sheets is almost unheard of at Hitchin and the scale of the victory suggested that a decent squad is coming together at Top Field.

Hitchin: Bennett, Payne (Grinham 55), Reece, Smith, Lee (Stanton h/t), L.Donnelly (Brinkman 59), Fontenelle (Thompson 55), Velandia (Lee 59, Elliott 70), Arlick, B.Donnelly, Burke