Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 3 Burnham 0

Saturday, October 23 2010

Hitchin went seven points clear at the top of the Zamaretto Central Division with an all-too-easy 3-0 win against struggling Burnham at Top Field.

Routine stuff for the Canaries

Hitchin moved back into their comfort zone of easy home victories after their midweek hiccup at Bedfont.

To be frank, Burnham were a robust side of limited ambition, depleted to the point where their manager had to turn out in defence. Judging by this performance, they have a long hard winter ahead of them.

But Hitchin had to rely on set pieces to get on their way, starting with a 42nd minute free kick by John Frendo - a superb effort that gave goalkeeper Chay Morris no chance.

Frendo has now scored five goals and most of them have been clinical finishes of the highest order. He may just be the difference between last season and this as the Canaries look to win promotion the definite way.

Earlier, Martin Bennett had to stop chances from Yashwa Romeo - a menace when he was at previous clubs - and Jordan Dowdican. Hitchin had further chances from Jamie Arlick, Callum Donnelly and Ieuan Lewis, the latter effort being cleared off the line by a defender.

Hitchin went further ahead in the 58th minute. Frendo, who was doing his best to work his way through the Burnham defence, was brought down in the area and Arlick hammered home the penalty kick.

It wasn't until the 82nd minute that Hitchin scored again, a Tony Fontenelle's low cross eluding a host of yellow shirts, but arriving at the far post for substitute Danny Payne to slide the ball into the net. It was his first goal for the club and the Hitchin players mobbed him in celebration.

A good day at the office, as the old cliche goes...more likely an easy day at the office.

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