Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin 2 Cheshunt 1 (after extra time)

Tuesday, August 11 2009

Despite fielding the sort of line-up that would not have looked out of place in the Capital League, Hitchin disposed of Ryman Division One side Cheshunt in the Herts Charity Cup.

But it took 120 minutes for Colin Payne’s shadow eleven to win the tie, with the clinching goal coming from a player who was being trialled by the Canaries management on the eve of the league season.

The game started tamely, but in the 13^th minute, Jeff Hammond teed-up Neil Thompson for a 25 yard effort that dipped past Cheshunt keeper Christian Beaupierre.

Hitchin played some attractive football in the first half, with Steve Velandia having arguably his best game since joining the club. The Colombian has improved by the game and his signing looks like something of a coup by Payne.

Hammond could have extended Hitchin’s lead before the break, striking the woodwork and seeing two efforts go wide of the mark. In between Hammond’s chances,  stand-in keeper Gavin Dunn pulled off a good save from Chris Meikle.

Cheshunt  levelled in the 66^th minute, Ashley Grinham scoring through his own goal from a corner.

Hitchin were left to rue the many chances they had wasted, and if Ieuan Lewis – on for Hammond – had taken his 70^th minute golden opportunity, there would have been no need for extra time.

The tie was eventually settled by one of the new faces, Richard Howell, who shot home in the 10^5th minute after being set-up by Thompson.

The Canaries move into the semi-finals, where they will play host to Broxbourne Borough.

Hitchin Town (1)2 Cheshunt (0)1 after extra time

1-0 Thompson 13 mins

1-1 Grinham OG 66 mins

2-1 Howell 105 mins

Hitchin: Dunn, Fontenelle, Lavers, Williams (Stanton 100), Lee, Grinham, Howell, Velandia(Charles 78), Hammond (Lewis 52), Brinkman, Thompson

Cheshunt: Beaupierre, Schillachi, Light, Lyons (Cook 112), Williams, Tresaden, Adams (Dearie 94), Churchhouse, Harrison, Meikle, Forbes

Referee: M.Mellor

Attendance: 103

Underlined players denote player making his first team debut for Hitchin Town.