Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 1 Harefield United 1

Saturday, July 11 2009

July 11 is the cricket season and just 77 days after the Canaries final game of 2008-09, perhaps a shade early for most football fans. But around 70 people felt that Hitchin’s game with Harefield was worth  a trip to Norton Road to watch what was a glorified training session on an artificial pitch.

Canaries manager Colin Payne was pleased with the workout, but mostly the game was an exercise in “who’s the number 10?” and other similar questions as Payne looked at potential signings.

The first half was entertaining enough, however, with one or two impressive performances. Zak Burke, previously with Stevenage, looked lively and showed great determination.

It was Burke who gave Hitchin the lead after 17 minutes, a low drive from 25 yards that gave the Harefield keeper no chance.

Harefield equalised after 35 minutes with a lobbed effort from way outside the penalty area.

Hitchin made nine changes in the second half, including the introduction of Tony Fontenelle, Richard Pringle, former Bedford striker Leon Gutzmore and ex-Stotfold man Louis Lee.

The game ended 1-1.

Hitchin: Martin Bennett, Ashley Grinham, Alex Olcot, Carl Williams, Mark Smith, Dean Gilbert, Ieuan Lewis, Luke Donnelly, Jamie Arlick, Charlie Hill, Zak Burke

Second half subs: Tony Fontenelle, Danny Payne, Richard Pringle, Leon Gutzmore, George Brinkman, Neil Thompson, Tajela James, Nathan Lewis, Louis Lee