Hitchin Town moved into the last eight of the Errea Cup with a commanding performance on a freezing Tuesday night at Ashford Town (Middlesex). The Canaries fielded a strong team in their 4-1 victory, underlining Darren Salton s desire to have a real stab

Hitchin Town moved into the last eight of the Errea Cup with a commanding performance on a freezing Tuesday night at Ashford Town (Middlesex).

The Canaries fielded a strong team in their 4-1 victory, underlining Darren Salton's desire to have a real stab at winning some silverware this season.

But the home side, top of the Southern League Division One West, made the early running and took a 36th minute lead through Jacob Mingle.

Hitchin equalised two minutes before the break, a Daniel French cross being turned home by Ashford defender Russell Canderton.

In the second half, Hitchin looked a transformed team and completely outclassed their hosts. In the 63rd minute, a corner from David Hicks was fumbled by goalkeeper Tony Wells and Stuart Hammonds followed up to score.

The Canaries' other central defender, Liam Folds, netted Hitchin's third goal in the 66th minute, following a free-kick by Hicks. The scoring was rounded off six minutes from the end when Gavin Jaggard volleyed home from 20 yards.

This was a good performance by Salton's men ahead of Saturday's big local derby at Aylesbury United.

Canaries: Wilmot, Lochhead, Okai, Hammonds, Folds, Hicks, Daniels (W Mills 70), Cavill (Lamacraft 79), Jaggard, Hayes, French.

P Hitchin were given a lesson in finishing by Southern League leaders Salisbury City as they crashed 3-0 at Top Field on Saturday.

Three well-taken goals by stand-in striker Robert Matthews were enough to end their unbeaten record in 2006.

Although Salisbury looked every bit the title-chasing side they are, Hitchin officials were left fuming by some roughhouse tactics, notably a stamping incident on Gavin Jaggard.

Salisbury took the lead in the 10th minute in their first real attack. A cross from Matthews Tubbs found the head of towering centre-forward Matthews and his effort went in off the crossbar.

Hitchin responded with a Jaggard header that sailed wide, but in the 17th minute, Salisbury scored again.

Matthews was again the scorer, shooting high into the net after Alex Haddow had laid the ball back from the byline. Jaggard again went close for Hitchin when he took the ball on his chest and shot wide.

The first half ended in untidy fashion with two brawls that resulted in bookings for both teams.

After the interval, Hitchin made the running but failed to test a well-drilled Salisbury defence. David Daniels did get one shot in, though, but it was too high.

Salisbury almost extended their lead when Matthews, after Richard Wilmot had strayed off his line, saw his shot blocked.

But Matthews secured his hat-trick in the 71st minute when he comfortably headed home from a Craig Davis cross.

Canaries: Wilmot, Lochhead, Okai, Ayres, Folds, Hicks (Hayes 66), French, Cavill, Jaggard (Pugh 88), Sozzo, Ducket (Daniels 52).