Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 4 Aylesbury 2

Saturday, October 30 2010

Hitchin maintained their 100% home record and made it 23 goals in six games as they went nine points clear at the top of the Zamaretto Central Division.

The gap grows as Canaries hit form again

Aylesbury were supposed to be a tough proposition for Hitchin, or at least that's what everyone was saying prior to this game. True, they did have a spell where they threatened, but like with all the other opponents in recent weeks, Hitchin didn't need to be anywhere near their best to win another three points.

The fact is, complacency may be Hitchin's toughest rival this season, although teams like Arlesey have been distracted by cup commitments. When the fixture list settles down, the Canaries may find title contenders will emerge.

They got off to the ideal start, John Frendo rifled home a 20 yard shot oin the third minute after Martin Bennett's long ball was nodded on and into the path of the Hitchin striker.

Frendo went close to adding a second when he met a Callum Donnelly cross to the near post, but he just failed to connect.

Aylesbury came back into the game,with Ricky Miller, the former Hitchin striker, the chief danger. And it was Miller who levelled the scores after 24 minutes, applying the finishing touch after Bennett had dropped a high cross.

But Hitchin regained the lead three minutes later, Zak Burke's shot hitting the post and Jamie Arlick rolling the ball into the net from the rebound.

In the 37th minute, Arlick scored his second of the game with a delightful chip over Aylesbury keeper Steve Smith after a through-ball by Donnelly.

The second half saw Aylesbury keep themselves in the game, but after Miller went off, their attack lacked mobility, although in the air, Glen Hawkins was a menace.

Aylesbury's hopes were all but extinguished in the 68th minute when the Canaries scored their fourth goal. A high cross by Richard Howell was fumbled by Smith and Arlick knocked home the ball for his hat-trick.

Arlick almost added another after a good build up, but Smith pushed his shot for a corner.

It was from a corner that Aylesbury pulled a goal back eight minutes from time, Hawkins heading past Bennett.

Despite the win, Carl Williams felt his team had not been at its best. "We never got out of second gear," he said. "We are doing the right things and playing good football, but we have to keep our concentration for 90 minutes."

Statistics
Hitchin Town (3)4 Aylesbury (1)2
Frendo 3,            Miller 24, Hawkins 82
Arlick 27, 37, 68

Att: 388
Referee: A.Tyne

Tweet