Zak Burke started up front

John Frendo fires Hitchin to victory

Chippenham Town 0 Hitchin Town 1

Evo-Stik Southern Premier

The Canaries, beaten last week by a struggling team, bounced back with a vital 1-0 success at Chippenham.

Hitchin had to reshuffle their pack with defender Lawrie Stewart pulling out due to a family illness while Marc Leach returned to the team and Zak Burke filled a striker’s role after the departure of Inih Effiong.

The game came to life in the closing minutes of the first half. Both sides had carved out half-chances in the opening half hour and although Rob Stearn and Nathan Rudge both went close for Chippenham, the Canaries looked comfortable in defence.

Burke then tried a lob in the 42nd minute but the ball went wide, but in added time Chippenham were awarded a penalty for a Luke Gregson handball and Alan Griffin took the kick and sent his penalty wide of Martin Bennett’s right hand post.

Chippenham had the upper hand in the opening minutes of the second half and but for a superb goal-line clearance from Tom Pepper the home side’s Stearn would have scored.

At the other end, though, Hitchin new boy Aaron Morgan almost opened his account with the club when he shot over the bar.

The Canaries took the lead on 64 minutes. Callum Donnelly sent in an inch-perfect cross from the left and John Frendo finished from 15 yards at the far post. Frendo could have added to Hitchin’s lead on 72 minutes when he was presented with a chance in front of goal. Chippenham goalkeeper Tommy Smith made a mess of trying to control a back pass and the ball rolled to Frendo, but his shot was wide of the mark.

Chippenham were unable to trouble the Hitchin defence and amid their frustration, full-back Mani Randhawa was red-carded for a foul on Pepper.

In fact, Frendo may have made things worse for Chippenham if he took advantage of two late chances.

Hitchin: Bennett, Fontenelle, Pepper, Leach, Gilbert, Donnelly, Lewis, Gregson, Burke, Frendo, Morgan. Subs not used: Williams, Pedrycz, Edgerley, King.