Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 2 AFC Hayes 0

Saturday, February 26 2011

As the old cliché goes, it’s the points that matter, never mind the performance. This was one of those games, a lack lustre display by the Canaries, but a gratefully received three points.

Carl Williams captured the mood perfectly after the game when he commented, “we got there in the end”, referring to the two second half goals that came Hitchin’s way.

Hitchin had their close shaves on the way, however. In the 15th minute, if the diving Tom Quarry-Powell had connected with Daniel Lake’s cross, they would have found themselves a goal down. Hitchin had plenty of the play, including some intricate approach work, but they just could not get their shots on target. Both John Frendo and Zak Burke were involved in goalmouth scrambles that just failed to deliver a clear cut chance.

It was not all one-way, though, and AFC Hayes went close again when Ross Ahir’s free kick curled just past Martin Bennett’s post.

Just before the break, however, Hitchin almost scored when Burke headed onto the roof of the net from Ieuan Lewis’s cross.

It was Lewis that gave Hitchin the lead on 48 minutes. He shot home at the far post after Burke rolled the ball across the face of goal. A minute later, Frendo should have added a second when he blasted over the bar from six yards.

AFC Hayes had their best spell midway through the second half, with Ahir half-volleying wide and a low drive by Dennis Maharajan just inches from causing trouble for Hitchin.

It was not until beyond the 90th minute that Hitchin scored their second goal, Liam George finishing after Luke Gregson and Lewis had linked up well.

So 2-0 and a much needed win. And with a crowd of 316, even with the distraction of live international football, the public still have faith in the Canaries’ promotion credentials.

Statistics
Hitchin Town (0)2 AFC Hayes (0)0
Lewis 48
George 90

Attendance: 316
Referee: T.Goddard

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