Hitchin Town Football Club
"Football for the Future"
Burnham 0 Hitchin Town 0
Saturday, April 24 2010
It was events elsewhere which decided how this game would be played out. As Bury Town built up a three goal lead inside half an hour, the game between two sides that may yet meet again in the play-offs, went very flat.
Hitchin went to Burnham knowing the odds were against them, but they nevertheless set out to secure their ninth successive victory.
Hitchin applied early pressure against a below strength home side. Harry Hunt blasted over from close range after linking up with Jamie arlick and a low cross by Ieuan Lewis just eluded Arlick in the six yard box.
A series of corners threatened to deliver something, but the Burnham defence held firm and goalkeeper Chay Morris wasn't seriously tested.
Hunt threatened to break the deadlock just before the interval, but as he tried to round Morris, he was blocked. Morris also did well to stop a shot by Luke Donnelly with his feet.
News that Bury almost home and dry had an instant impact on the tempo of the game in the second half.
Long range efforts by Jon Stevenson and Richard Howell were comfortably dealt with by Morris and Jeff Hammond had a late half chance when he ran onto a through ball but couldn't get his shot in.
In the dying seconds, Donnelly, Zak Burke and Hammond all had chances, but the Burnham goal was out of reach.
Burnham's crowd of 361 was swelled by around 150 Hitchin fans who gave their side a tremendous ovation at the final whistle. Promotion is still on, but Hitchin nerves may be tested in the coming week. Whatever happens in the play-offs, the determination and commitment shown by Colin Payne's side has delivered the most prolific season for many years. And there's more to come.
Burnham (0)0 Hitchin Town (0)0
Burnham: Morris, Hatcher, Hudell, Tilbury, Dunlop, Hill, Coyne, Charlery, Dowdican, Couch, O'Connor (Swift 80)
Hitchin: Bennett, Fontenelle, Pepper, Stevenson (Payne 65), Smith, Gilbert, Lewis, L.Donnelly, Arlick (Hammond h/t), Hunt (Burke 72), Howell
Attendance: 361 (150 from Hitchin)
Referee: D.Bushell