League

Hitchin Stadium
Spectators: 6690 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1690, VIP seats: 0) Russ Strong showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Frazer Welch, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. When Jim Stockton fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Hitchin's protests and gave Jim Stockton a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Hitchin's Gez Pickard got a free kick in the 5th minute. After 5 played minutes, Canvey Island's Al Bzeu shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Russ Strong came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Canvey Island reached it. Frazer Welch fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 7th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Russ Strong having to interfere. 9 minutes into the match, Hitchin's Ash Picker sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Verne Gavan narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Verne Gavan was out of position in the 10 minute of play, and Dale Lane capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Dale Lane really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. After some fancy dribbling in the 20th minute, Dale Lane managed to get in a good position for a shot. Hitchin's supporters rose to their feet, but Dale Lane was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Verne Gavan breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 26 minutes into the game, Lee Washington cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-1. Russ Strong was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Verne Gavan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dale Lane in the 30th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Hitchin's Nick Wood got a free kick in the 32nd minute. Dale Lane received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Verne Gavan came out and tried to block the shot, but Dale Lane slotted it home off the left post making it 4-1 in the 35th minute. Lee Washington received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Russ Strong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Dale Lane received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Verne Gavan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Frazer Welch was the one to do the kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jonathan Nightingale during the 52nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. 61 minutes into the match, Lee Washington notched a goal, 4-2, to the right of Hitchin's Russ Strong. Russ Strong was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Dale Lane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dale Lane blasted a shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Verne Gavan having to make a save. Verne Gavan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ash Picker in the 70th minute of play. Verne Gavan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ash Picker, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. After a defensive mix-up in Hitchin's zone, Lee Washington stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Russ Strong came out of the goal and Lee Washington tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some careless play in the Canvey Island defense, Dale Lane kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Verne Gavan. The Canvey Island fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Verne Gavan should have stopped the shot. Dale Lane struck a weak shot in the 91st minute. Verne Gavan didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Hitchin. If Frazer Welch had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead.