Hitchin Town Football Club

Needham Market 4 Hitchin Town 2

Saturday, October 2 2010

Hitchin were comprehensively beaten at Needham Market by the Ryman Division One North leaders. A terrible first half, in which they conceded three goals, gave them an uphill battle that they never looked like winning.

Suffolk punch for Canaries

Watch out for Needham Market! That was the message from this FA Trophy tie that saw the Canaries exit the competition at the first hurdle. So endeth a bad week for Hitchin, but before the doom-merchants start to write off Carl Williams’ side, perhaps they should consider the merits of an up-and-coming club who could be going places.

Needham Market were simply too good for Hitchin and the scoreline almost flattered the visitors. They were fast, strong, direct and had a definite shoot-on-sight policy. It paid off superbly.

From the moment the Canaries fell behind in the 12th minute, there was only one team heading for the next round. The first goal was a scruffy affair, with a touch of infringement about it, but the ball was turned home by Craig Parker after Martin Bennett appeared to lose it.

Needham Market almost netted again when the impressive Danny Thrower sent a fierce drive against the crossbar, but the voiciferous home fans, who added rustic good humour to the proceedings, didn’t have to wait long to celebrate another goal. Thrower, affectionately known as “Percy” slotted home the second goal in the 38th minute after being cleverly set-up by Sam Newson.

It was Newson who added Needham Market’s third in the 44th minute with a sublime chip over Bennett.

Grave looks at half-time, but it got worse in the 52nd minute when Darren Bethall raced clear of the Hitchin defence and shot past Bennett for the fourth goal.
Seven minutes later, Hitchin pulled a goal back when Callum Donnelly slid the ball through to Jamie Arlick and he applied the necessary finish.

For a while, there was the faintest suggestion of a comeback as Hitchin carved out further chances. Richard Howell and Tony Fontenelle both had chances, the latter weaving through an seeing his shot pushed over by Needham Market keeper Danny Gay.

It was not until the final minute that Hitchin breached Gay’s goal again, substitute Luke Gregson  finding the net from the edge of the area.

Statistics
Needham Market (3)4 Hitchin Town (0)2
Parker 12                  Arlick 59
Thrower 38                Gregson 90
Newson 44
Bethall 52

Att: 216
Referee: R.Jaye

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