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Hitchin kicked off 2008 in bright sunshine at a muddy Ickleford with two entertaining games that produced a resounding win and a narrow, unlucky defeat.
Game 1
Any rustiness from the Christmas break was quickly brushed away as Hitchin made a flying start in the first game, pinning Potton into their own half with some excellent passing football. Cain and defenders Patrick and Joel kept things tight at the back but were untroubled as Hitchin dominated possession, with Sam Henshaw excellent on the left wing. The only surprise was the 1-0 scoreline at the break – Sam Hartnack forcing the ball over the line after good work by James and William.
Kai replaced the injured Patrick at the break and the second half was almost one-way traffic as Hitchin launched wave after wave of attack. Sam scored his second with a crisp shot from the edge of the area soon after the restart. William added a third after a pass from Sam Henshaw. Sam Hartnack completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the game, an excellent finish from the right hand side of the penalty area. It could have been many more and coach Paul described it as the team’s performance of the season so far.
HITCHIN 4 POTTON 0
Game 2
Paul shuffled the team for the second match with hat-trick hero Sam in goal, Daniel joining Kai in defence and Vinay supporting William and Joel in attack. However, Potton responded instantly and took a shock lead in the first minute. Hitchin pushed forward for an equaliser with some fluent passing football but midway through the first half, against the run of play, Potton scored a breakaway goal to double their lead. Just before the break Hitchin pulled a goal back with James and William combining well to set up Cain whose shot from the edge of the area found the left hand corner of the Potton net.
Patrick returned for the second half and with Kai and Daniel excellent at the back, Hitchin pushed forward for an equaliser. Patrick’s shot from outside the box looked goal-bound before a good save from Potton goalkeeper and Vinay shot just past the post after a good move involving Joel and Patrick. Despite another very promising performance, the equaliser would not come and Potton held out to edge a close game.
HITCHIN 1 POTTON 2
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