Hitchin Town Football Club

Marlow 1 Hitchin Town 1

Saturday, February 20 2010

After their recent burst of form, accompanied by prolific goalscoring, this was something of an anti-climax for the Canaries, despite extending their unbeaten run to 10 games.

Marlow had one of the worst home records in the Midlands Division, but they played iike a team out to prove a point. They made life very difficult for Hitchin and cut off the supply to fastest front line in the league - Jamie Arlick and Harry Hunt.

Arlick and Hunt both had early chances, but they were far too generous in front of goal. Hunt saw two efforts saved by Marlow keeper Michael Watkins and Arlick should have done better from close range.

When a goal came it was a scruffy affair. Tony Fontenelle's shot was deflected by John Gray and it spun into the air and fell beyond Watkins. Fontenelle wasted no time in claiming the goal.

Marlow were a different side in the second period and Martin Bennett was called into action early on, saving from six yards from Yashwa Romeo. Fontenelle went close again for Hitchin, after good work by Richard Howell, and Hunt shot straight at Watkins after a Ieuan Lewis run.

Hitchin had some difficulty with the aerial menace of Alex Stewart and he was involved in Marlow's equaliser in the 68th minute. The Canaries defence failed to clear a long ball and it fell to Leigh Mason, who volleyed low into the net.

Within seconds, Hunt rounded Watkins before seeing his shot cleared off the line and another Fontenelle effort was saved.

But it was Marlow that looked most dangerous in the closing stages and Bennett saved from Stewart to ensure Hitchin gained a point.

Marlow (0)1 Hitchin Town (1)1

0-1 Fontenelle 39 mins
1-1 Mason 68 mins

Marlow: Watkins, Case, Gray, Willment, Avery, Elsegood, Mason, Roberts (Isaac 57), Stewart, Crouch (Roche 70), Romeo (Mealing 86)
Hitchin: Bennett, Pepper, Fontenelle, Williams, Smith, Gilbert, Lewis (Burke 81), Lee (Stevenson 86), Arlick, Hunt, Howell (Ducket 70)

Attendance: 158 (60 from Hitchin)
Referee: G.Connolly