Hitchin Fight Back To Earn A Point

Monday night saw the Canaries held to a 2-2 draw at Top Field by a St Ives Town side who had lost six of their eight matches running into the game.

The hosts had beaten Basingstoke Town at the weekend, so had some confidence heading into the match, but found themselves a goal down in the 12th minute when Jimmy Hartley beat home `keeper Michael Johnson with a low shot from the edge of the box.

The visitors had the lions` share of the first half, with the Canaries only really threatening an equaliser in the latter stages.

But Hitchin came out of the blocks quickly in the second period and Jack Green, Jonny McNamara and Lucas Kirkpatrick all had decent efforts.

And it came as little surprise when Hitchin levelled in the 52nd minute when McNamara got in between defender Brett Longdon and `keeper James Goff to score from six yards.

Brett Donnelly then almost gave Hitchin the lead when he headed Callum Donnelly`s cross over the bar and McNamara was then denied by Goff after good work from loanee Kevan Cotter.

But on 65 minutes, it was the Saints who took the lead when Peter Clark headed past Johnson.

Less than 4 minutes later, however, the home side were back on level terms when Goff punched clear under a challenge from Brett Donnelly and the ball fell nicely for Jay Dowie, whose dipping drive flew into the back of the net.

Green, Callum Donnelly twice and then McNamara all had opportunities to win it for Hitchin, but St Ives held out.