Salton’s men make history at Merthyr
Merthyr Tydfil 1 Hitchin Town 2 NEIL JENSEN reports Hitchin won for the first time in their history in Wales on Saturday. Darren Salton s side beat Merthyr Tydfil, a club that could soon have former England and Spurs star Paul Gascoigne (main picture) in
Merthyr Tydfil 1 Hitchin Town 2
NEIL JENSEN reports
Hitchin won for the first time in their history in Wales on Saturday.
Darren Salton's side beat Merthyr Tydfil, a club that could soon have former England and Spurs star Paul Gascoigne (main picture) in the managerial hotseat.
While all the pre-match chat at Merthyr may have been about the possible arrival of Gazza, Hitchin did their talking on the pitch.
After one point from their two previous games, this was just what manager Salton needed to prove that his side's recent improvement was no fluke.
Most Read
- 1 Man threatened woman with samurai sword before sex attack in Letchworth
- 2 A505 driver left with serious injuries after car leaves road near Hitchin
- 3 The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: How are our areas celebrating?
- 4 'Jobs will be lost' if Stevenage TK Maxx fails to relocate
- 5 Hitchin to host Platinum Jubilee Carnival to honour Queen
- 6 Police called to concern for welfare after 'youths' seen on Stevenage roof
- 7 Prince Charles and Camilla to star in special EastEnders Jubilee episode filmed in Hertfordshire
- 8 Iceland offers over 60s discount on shopping bill every week
- 9 Range Rover stopped towing ‘insecure trailer’ on A1(M) in Stevenage
- 10 Michelin-star chef to kick off Sea Change campaign with tasty seafood samples
The early stages were fought in midfield, with Hitchin holding their own against a Merthyr side that has struggled at home in recent weeks.
There was a scare for the Canaries as early as the fourth minute, however, when Gary Shepherd shot wide from close range.
Hitchin went close in the 25th minute when a good cross by Daniel French just eluded his team-mates.
The best chance of the half fell to Gavin Jaggard, who ran onto a through ball by Neil Pugh but saw his shot blocked by Merthyr keeper Ashley Morris.
It was Jaggard's last contribution, for at half-time he went off injured to be replaced by Stuart Lochhead.
The Canaries took the lead in the 52nd minute when Pugh picked up a loose ball and sent a 25-yard shot past Morris. Shortly afterwards, Thomas Hayes was replaced by Wayne Mills, resulting in a new frontline pairing of Mills and Lochhead.
The diminutive strikeforce performed well, though, and Lochhead saw one effort deflected for a corner.
The home side sent on three substitutes in a bid to change the game but Stuart Hammonds and the recalled James Ayres held firm at the back.
Three minutes from time, the Canaries extended their lead when Aaran Cavill broke from the halfway line, ran on and saw his shot parried by Morris but recovered to net the rebound.
In added time, Merthyr were awarded a penalty when Ayres upended Craig Steins and Shepherd scored from the spot.
There were a few nerves in the dying seconds but Hitchin deserved their win.
Canaries: Wilmot, Pugh, Okai, Hammonds, Ayres, Hicks (Lamacraft 75), French, Cavill, Jaggard (Lochhead 46), Hayes (W Mills 62), Ducket.
