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Hitchin held off a late Letchworth fight back to make it three wins from three in 2010 after an excellent, high-quality, fast-moving match at Ickleford.
The match started at a breathless pace as both teams attacked from the off. Letchworth had the better of the opening five minutes, dominating possession and were particularly dangerous with some excellent delivery from set-pieces and corners. Hitchin were initially restricted to breakaways but gradually found their passing as the game went on and began to assert control in midfield. They went ahead towards the end of the half when a long flighted cross from the right from Sam Hart appeared to deceive the Eagles keeper. Joel calmly controlled the ball and rolled it into the unguarded net to make it 1-0.
The second half began in a snow blizzard but it was Hitchin who adapted better to the changing conditions. They went close to increasingly the lead a number of times before Sam K made it 2-0, following up a clearance from his corner and drilling the ball past the Eagles keeper. Hitchin were in complete control at this stage but Letchworth gained a foothold in the match when an innocuous shot rolled through Sam’s legs to make it 2-1 with 10 minutes to go.
The last ten minutes were nerve-wracking, to say the least. A combination of excellent goalkeeping and wayward finishing prevented the Hurricanes from putting the game to bed and Letchworth poured forward in search of the equaliser. Full credit to the boys for hanging on – the forwards dropped back well to help out the defence.
Sam Hen returned in goal and, other than one lapse, was brave and alert, typified by him diving into a goalmouth melee and emerging, grinning with the ball, as the whistle blew for full time. Patrick and Sam Hart were diligent in defence against a talented Letchworth attack and were ably covered and supported by Will and Kane. Joel, Sam K and Somerset had to battle hard against a very good defence but conjured up the vital goals in a tight game and could have extended the lead towards the end.
Man of the match: - After the goal-fests of recent weeks, this was day for defences against probably the best side we’ve faced so far this season. Sam Hen, Patrick and Kane were close contenders but the MoM is Sam Hart for some great tackling and covering and a crucial assist for the opening goal.
Team – Sam Hen, Patrick, Sam Hart, William, Kane, Joel, Sam K, Somerset.
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