Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 3 Marlow 0

Tuesday, January 11 2011

Hitchin demonstrated that you don't always need to be at your best to win games. After taking their time to produce the flowing, incisive football that has characterised their season, they punished Marlow in the second half.

The Canaries got off to a great start to the game with a goal after just five minutes. John Frendo's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Michael Watkins and Zak Burke was on hand to follow up to score.

But from that point, Hitchin struggled to find their form and Marlow's confidence grew. Defender Gavin Lane went close with a header that was tipped onto the woodwork and over by Martin Bennett, and Frendo turned stopped when he blocked a shot by Marlow dangerman Aaron Couch.

Marlow made it an uncomfortable first period for the Canaries and the home side were restricted to a couple of Frendo shots that failed to find the target.

It was a different story after the interval, however. Frendo and Burke both had chances in the early stages, but midway through the half, the game sprung to life. In the 67th minute, Richard Howell's corner was headed on by Dean Gilbert and although the keeper stopped the Hitchin skipper's effort, Frendo picked up the loose ball to score from close range.

Three minutes later, Frendo scored again, netting with a left foot drive after an excellent move involving Burke. Now, after a lack lustre first 45 minutes, the Canaries had another emphatic scoreline on their hands. And Howell was denied a fourth Hitchin goal only by a last ditch tackle shortly afterwards.

Hitchin remained on top and the 3-0 victory extends their unbeaten start to the season to 22 games.

Statistics
Hitchin Town (1)3 Marlow (0)0
Burke 5
Frendo 67, 70

Attendance: 222
Referee: N.A. Smith

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