Hitchin Town Football Club

Leighton Town 2 Hitchin Town 2

Saturday, November 14 2009

Hitchin came up against stubborn opponents on a weather-torn afternoon and had to be thankful for a point against a side that has surprised a few people this season.

The elements had their say in the outcome of the game. In the first period, Hitchin found it difficult to clear their lines, with the wind against them. But it was the Canaries that took the lead after 29 minutes with a sublime goal from Zak Burke. He cut inside, almost 30 yards out and struck his shot beyond goalkeeper Lee Clark and in off the post.

It was no surprise when Leighton equalised seven minutes later. They had gone close through Warren Garcia and Aston Goss before they found the back of the net through Stuart Deaton, a header after James McNulty had nodded on a corner.

Burke went close to restoring the lead in the 43rd minute, but Hitchin were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

Hitchin started the second half badly and Leighton gained the upper hand. In the space of a minute, they hit the woodwork twice, firstly in the 51st minute when Ben Gallant shot against the post and then within 60 seconds later, a long range effort from Ben Porter hit the crossbar.

Hitchin recovered from a shaky spell and Jamie Arlick went close with a shot that was well saved by Lee Clark in the Leighton goal. But at the other end, Dan Walker went on a long run, beating the Hitchin defence and shot just wide.

Hitchin had a string of corners and from one of these, Reece’s cross went to the far post and Louis Lee headed home to give the Canaries the lead once more.
But the lead was short-lived, for in the 82nd minute, a long range effort from Goss beat Bennett to restore parity.

Hitchin had a  late chance through Luke Donnelly – a header – that almost found the net, but on the day, a draw was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes, especially given the conditions.

Leighton Town (1)2  Hitchin Town (1)2

Leighton: Clark, Cunningham, Scott, Lewis, McNulty (Hallford 75), Deaton, Walker (Clifford 85), Garcia, Gallant, Porter (Kench 62), Goss
Hitchin: Bennett, Fontenelle, Grinham (Reece h/t), Williams, Smith (Hammond 86), Gilbert, Lewis, Lee, Arlick, Donnelly, Burke (Howell 78)

0-1 Burke 29 mins
1-1 Deaton 36 mins
1-2 Lee 72 mins
2-2 Goss 82 mins

Referee: P.C. Martin
Attendance: