Hitchin Town Football Club

Biggleswade Town 0 Hitchin Town 3

Saturday, February 13 2010

When Hitchin last met Biggleswade, there was some feeling of injustice at the final result. No such claim this time, for Colin Payne's men completed his first year in charge with another emphatic performance and underlined that the Canaries will take some stopping this season.

There were some rumblings of doubt a few weeks ago, but these have been banished by the goal-happy performances in the past two weeks. Hitchin cannot stop scoring and they have improved their goal difference by 12 goals in four games - an incredible ratio. In the process the Canaries have put five points between themselves and second place and an astonishing 19 ahead of the team in sixth place. At this rate, Hitchin need just seven wins to claim at least a play-off spot.

On a wet and muddy pitch, Hitchin thought they had taken a ninth minute lead when Harry Hunt scored, but his effort was ruled offside. Jamie Arlick also went close when his shot was tipped over by Ashley Timms.

But Hitchin took complete control with a two-goal salvo in three minutes. In the 21st minute, Richard Howell found Hunt and his shot was partially saved by Timms but crossed the line. The Waders didn't have a chance to recover, for two minutes later, Timms played a free kick across the area and Arlick intercepted to simply knock the ball home with the keeper in nomansland.

Biggleswade almost pulled one back when former Canary Brett Donnelly struck a post with a header.

Arlick almost added to Hitchin's lead after the interval, heading wide from Howell's cross, and then Howell himself shot over. Biggleswade's defence was breached again 17 minutes from time, Ieaun Lewis's shot deflected by Paul Reynolds and spinning over Timms landing in the net.

Mark Ducket returned to the fold after resigning in midweek and he missed a golden chance to score. Williams and Hunt both had efforts blocked and it was not until late on that Martin Bennett was tested again, a free kick by Stephen Smith.

Some Hitchin fans - and there were around 180 present - thought it was one of the Canaries' best displays - it was certainly one of the most assured and confidence is clearly sky-high at Top Field. But there will be more severe tests ahead...

Biggleswade Town (0)0 Hitchin Town (2)3
0-1 21 mins Hunt
0-2 23 mins Arlick
0-3 73 mins Reynolds OG

Biggleswade: Timms, Gatti, Radcliffe, Reynolds, Webster, Kilroy (Smith 82), Dance (Freshwater 66), Lamacraft, Steele (Cavill 66), B.Donnelly, Hall
Hitchin: Bennett, Pepper, Fontenelle, Williams, Smith, Gilbert, Lewis, Lee (L.Donnelly 82), Arlick (Burke 82), Hunt, Howell (Ducket 79)

Attendance: 315
Referee: D.Margetts