Jason Hallett’s 41st-minute finish was enough to dash Hitchin Town’s aspirations of securing the first half of a cup double as 10-man Cheshunt claimed a 1-0 Herts Charity Cup final victory at Hemel Hempstead Town’s Vauxhall Road on Tuesday night.
The Canaries, who will again take to the Hemel pitch in less than a fortnight to contest the Herts Senior Cup final against Bishop’s Stortford, probed for much of the affair against the Ryman League Division One North outfit, especially in the second period, but could not fashion a response to Hallett’s excellent first-half strike.
The forward switched from hero to villain just past the hour however – and in turn gave what Town thought was to be a lifeline – as he was dismissed for an off-the-ball altercation with Matt Lench inside the Hitchin half.
Nevertheless, several further Hitchin chances went begging and Cheshunt held on valiantly to lift the trophy for only the third time.
Hitchin, fresh from Saturday’s goalless home draw with promotion rivals Leamington, began well with Lench seeing a 15th-minute shot smartly saved by keeper James May.
Cheshunt grew into the game though and should have found the opener as Tom Bruno’s knockout ball over the top put Jason Rice in the clear but he blazed over.
Eventually the Theobalds Lane team were ahead.
Despite a hint of offside, Hallett raced onto another super Bruno pass and slotted beyond the helpless Michael Johnson to leave Hitchin on the ropes.
The Top Field side reappeared with more intensity after the break and should have been level in the 50th minute but, following Brett Donnelly’s cute lay-off to Lench inside the box, his delayed side-foot was blocked six yards out and the ball was hacked clear.
With Hitchin still penetrating for a leveller, Hallett saw the red mist and consequently the same colour card for his Lench tussle.
From there Cheshunt’s goal continued to lead a charmed life in the final 30 minutes with Jonny McNamara heading Lench’s cross inches over while substitute Liam Brooks was brilliantly denied by May as Paul Wickenden’s men held on for a well-deserved win.
Hitchin: Johnson, Clarke (Brooks), Walster, Rolfe, Spence (Spring), Wright, McNamara, C Donnelly, B Donnelly, Kirkpatrick, Lench. Subs: Bennett, King, Burns.
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