Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 1 Chesham United 1

Saturday, January 28 2012

Hitchin were denied their first win against Chesham since 1995 by an 88th minute goal in an entertaining game at Top Field.

Highlights

70- Frendo squeezes the ball home off the crossbar 1-0

88- Moran dives to head the equalizer 1-1

Weather: Cold and dry

Pitch: Satisfactory

Attendance: 466
 
When will Hitchin finally beat Chesham and end a run that goes back to the heady days of the mid-1990s?

On a day when 466 people turned up – with a fair sprinkling of servicemen supporting Forces Day - the two teams put on an entertaining show to remind people that the non-league game can captivate an audience. And given that the turnout from Chesham was considerably lower than in recent years, the bulk of the crowd were backing Carl Williams’ side.

There was a strong argument that Hitchin’s run should have ended in this game, but at the same time, Chesham looked a capable side that was deserving of a point.

Chesham struck the woodwork early on through the impressive Steve Wales and the ball was cleared off the line by Tony Fontenelle. But Hitchin had a series of half chances shortly afterwards, through Inih Effiong, Dean Gilbert and Zak Burke all went close for Hitchin.
 
Hitchin continued to have the upper hand in the early stages of the second half, with Ieuan Lewis almost scoring when his shot across the face of goal was cleared off the line.  Chesham keeper Shaun Gore came to the rescue of his side with a spectacular save from Zak Burke. Effiong also had a good opportunity, but saw his shot deflected over the bar.
 
Hitchin opened the scoring on 70 minutes with an outstanding finish from John Frendo. Ieuan Lewis played  the ball inside and despite the presence of a number of Chesham defenders, Frendo squeezed the ball into the net via the crossbar, a fine goal.
 
After the goal, Chesham dominated and Danny Talbot almost levelled with a free kick that struck a post. Leon Archer headed just wide and Martin Bennett pulled off a good save from Dave Fotheringham.
 
It was no surprise when Chesham did equalize, however, Ryan Moran stooping to head home from a corner.

There was a hint of disappointment at the final whistle, but at the start of the game, most Top Field regulars would have settled for a point. Meanwhile, the dismal run of results against Chesham continues…



The teams



Hitchin: Bennett, Fontenelle, Leach, Stewart, Gilbert, Donnelly, Burke, Gregson, Effiong, Frendo, Lewis

Subs not used: Pepper, Edgerley, King, McAdams, Pedrycz



Goal: Frendo 70



Chesham: Gore, Kyriacou, Watson (Wadkins 75), Lambert, Moran, Talbot, Fotheringham, Wales, Potton (Archer 56), Simon Thomas (Watters 75), Whelan 
Subs not used: Scott Thomas, Bartley



Goal: Moran 88



Referee: A. Da Costa

Assistants: G.Daish, J.Marin


Photo by Martyn Annetts: Frendo and Lewis celebrate the former's 70th minute goal

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