Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 3 Marlow 0

Saturday, August 15 2009

Hitchin recorded their best opening day result for 11 years when they comfortably disposed of Marlow in a lack lustre game at Top Field.

Although pleased with the scoreline, both manager Colin Payne and his assistant Carl Williams were slightly dissatisfied at the level of performance, but in truth, Marlow offered little in the way of resistence.

Still, a win is a win, and with a new look side, Hitchin can be pleased with their first tentative steps into the new campaign.

Another plus for the Hitchin officials was the crowd of 303, the second highest in the Midlands Division and bigger than five Premier Division games. If Hitchin keep rattling in the goals, the crowds will rise further.

It was a tame first period, and it was not until the 41st minute that the crowd were woken from their summer slumbers. Jamie Arlick opened Hitchin’s account, shooting home from the edge of the area.

Ten minutes into the second half, Hitchin increased their lead. Zak Burke played the ball, through to Tony Fontenelle and the tall wide man appeared to lose control, but managed to play a pass across goal to Luke Donnelly who swept the ball into the net.

Seven minutes later, Hitchin scored again, Ashley Grinham crossed and Marlow keeper Kieron Drake fumbled the ball which fell to Zak Burke who backheeled home.

Marlow, clearly disheartened, sent on the tallest footballer who will ever see, Alex Stewart and his height caused some problems. In fact, the striker thought he had pulled a goal back when he bundled the ball home after hitting the crossbar, but his effort was ruled out.

Marlow put some pressure on late in the game, but Hitchin were home and dry at this point.

“We didn’t play very well, but we did enough to win and the scoreline will send a message to our rivals. We can’t be troo disappointed, but we can play a lot better than that,” said Carl Williams.

Hitchin Town (1)3 Marlow (0)0
1-0 Arlick 41 mins
2-0 L.Donnelly 55 mins
3-0 Burke 62 mins

Hitchin: Bennett, Fontenelle, Reece (Payne h/t), Grinham, Smith, Gilbert, Lewis, L.Donnelly,  Arlick, Velandia (Williams 70), Burke (Howell 79)

Marlow: Drake, Wadieh, Gray (Roberts 87), Lane, Lamb, Elsegood, Goodrham (Stewart 63), Shepherd (Stone 75), Isaac, Roche, Case

Ref: R.McKay

Attendance: 303 (approx.10 from Marlow)