Hitchin Town 2 Stourbridge 1 - Report
Stourbridge suffered a shock defeat at relegation threatened Hitchin Town as their eight game unbeaten run came crashing to an end, despite Luke Benbow’s early opener.
Benbow volled home after nine minutes but The Glassboys couldn’t capitalise and the hosts turned it around either side of halftime, as Stoubridge’s lead at the top was cut to two points.
“We weren’t really at the races today.” Assistant manager Jon Ford admitted. “Hitchin deserved the win, their endeavour, they’ve worked really hard and got the breaks.
“Their keepers made one or two good saves but apart from that we huffed and puffed. We’ve always come back stronger when we’ve had a defeat and look forward to Kettering next week.”
Hitchin started brightly, Lewis Farrell heading early, but Benbow pounced as with their first real attack, Aaron Forde’s ball was headed into his path, the number nine volleying into the top corner.
The hosts continued to press though, Kaiman Anderson clearing an effort off the line from a corner but on 34 minutes Hitchin levelled as a ball fell to Isaac Galliford, who took a touch and fired in.
Only a superb save from home keeper Michael Johnson denied Benbow a second just before half-time whilst after the interval he combined with Jordaan Brown, who’s was also denied.
Stuart Pierpoint headed over, but it was Hitchin, who got the winner, Scott Belgrove unmarked at the far post to square a free-kick for Harry Draper to score.
The Glassboys put on late pressure, but substitute Chekaine Steele headed wide with the final chance.
