Hitchin ride to play-off points

Hitchin Town 2 Hungerford Town 1

HUNGERFORD go into their Monday night date with Slough Town needing a win to reclaim the play-off spot from which they were ousted by Saturday’s defeat at the hands of one of their top of the table rivals.

They may have to do it without defender Diak John, who hobbled off early on Saturday following a raking, before his side had to rally from a two-goal half-time deficit.

Hungerford’s defence, usually adept at dealing with set pieces, was this time found wanting for both goals. The first came after 10 minutes when Kane Simth’s free kick was met by centre back Dan Webb for a simple headed effort.

The second came 15 minutes before the interval when Lucas Kirkpatrick’s scuffed delivery was turned in at the near post by Brett Donnelly to give Hitchin a deserved interval advantage after Paul Strudley had twice made good saves.

But Hungerford rallied promptly after the break and pulled one back within five minutes when Mike Jones’ shot was diverted home by Garyn Preen, and amid dangerous breaks from the hosts, Jon Boardman headed over and had another other cleared off the line by Webb, and Matt Day’s point-blank effort took a deflection over the bar as Hitchin took the points.

Tadley Calleva’s scheduled home game with Totton and Eling in the Wessex League was washed out.