Hitchin Town Football Club

Hitchin Town 1 Hemel Hempstead 2

Monday, November 21 2011

Hitchin’s poor record against Hemel Hempstead in cup competitions continued as they went tumbling out of the Red Insure Cup at Top Field.

The Canaries even took the lead against their county rivals, but after losing the lead, confidence seemed to drain from Hitchin.

It took just four minutes for Hitchin to take the lead, Zak Burke cutting inside and sending a low shot into the net after good work by Callum Donnelly.

Hitchin were in the ascendancy at this point, with Louis Lee, Donnelly, Luke Gregson and John Frendo all having chances to score.

But in the 32nd minute, Hemel drew level, Matt Wright netting after Hitchin gave the ball away and a cross into the centre was knocked home by the Hemel centre forward.

By the time the half-time whistle went, Hitchin had lost the spring in their step and Hemel were on top.

There was some hope when Gregson burst through, but he elected to side-foot the ball goalwards and goalkeeper Mike McEntegart easily saved.

Hemel took the lead on 72 minutes when Nicky Beale headed past Martin Bennett from a corner.

Hitchin rarely looked like retrieving the situation and so for the third consecutive season, Hemel ended the Canaries’ Southern League Cup hopes.

The teams

Hitchin: Bennett, Fontenelle, Pepper, Stewart, Gilbert, Lee, Donnelly, Gregson (Ann 72), Burke (Edgerley 82), Frendo, Lewis

Subs not used: Pedrycz, Rowland, Williams



Goal: Burke 4



Hemel: Mike McEntegart, May, Pearce, Smith, Matt McEntegart, Beale, Blake (Eaves 79), Gorman, Wright (Lafayette 61), Toomey (Brighton 82), O’Hara

Subs not used: Morgan, Bussey



Goals: Wright 32, Beale 72



Referee: R.Hodges

Assistants: P.Wilkinson & R.Trinder



Attendance: 100

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