Contented Canaries beaten at Corby

Corby Town 3 Hitchin Town 0 It was not just the weather that gave the impression that the season had ended in Hitchin s final game - a 3-0 defeat at Corby Town. The activities on the field had a decidedly lacklustre air about them. Two weeks earlier, this

Corby Town 3 Hitchin Town 0

It was not just the weather that gave the impression that the season had ended in Hitchin's final game - a 3-0 defeat at Corby Town.

The activities on the field had a decidedly lacklustre air about them.

Two weeks earlier, this game had all the potential to be a final day clash of two teams desperately needing points.

With both having secured safety, the edge had clearly disappeared. Hitchin looked jaded for much of the game and in many ways contributed to their own downfall.

In the first half, Hitchin had their chances, although it was Corby who threatened first, a Steve Diggin volley that was punched away by Martin Bennett and a Daniel French shot tipped wide by the keeper.

Tom Pepper and Bennett slipped up in the 21st minute, however, presenting Diggin with a chance he did not miss to open the scoring.

Mark Barnes had two half chances which he would perhaps have buried on any other day and Carl Williams had a volley cleared off the line as Hitchin went in search of an equaliser.

Dean Gilbert had another effort cleared from danger by defender Rob Hughes. Gilbert later set up Mark Barnes who volleyed wide from close range.

Hitchin's threat ended at half time and in the 54th minute, Diggin headed home from close range to extend Corby's lead.

The home side were camped in the Canaries half for much of the second period.

It was no surprise when they scored again five minutes from time, French's high ball deceiving the Hitchin defence and Diggin finishing from close range.

Canaries: Bennett, Deeney, Pepper, Williams (Barr 67m), Gilbert, Smith (Davies 54m), Lewis, Gregson, P Barnes (Stevenson 46m), M Barnes, Ducket.