CANARIES ENJOY FAST START

HITCHIN Town turned in a superb first half performance, scoring three goals without reply to wrap this game up.

They added a fourth goal just after the interval in what was a one-sided victory.

The 67th minute dismissal of Trey Charles following a second caution threw a lifeline to the hosts who grabbed a consolation eight minutes from time when Mo Baghdadi’s 25yard free-kick deflected in off the defensive wall.

It was a dream start for the Canaries.

Lucas Kirkpatrick’s low shot was pushed around the post by Dorchester keeper Chris Weale but from the resultant Charlie Smith corner, Josh Bickerstaff netted from 18 yards.

Weale saved again to deny Kirkpatrick but was unable to keep out a 16th minute penalty driven down the centre by Kirkpatrick to double the lead. Smith’s shot struck Jonny McNamara and deflected wide before Smith picked out Elliott Bailey who shrugged off the attentions of Neil Martin to fire past Weale.

At the end of the first half Sam Lanahan produced the Magpies’ first on target effort, which was easily cut out by Canaries keeper Michael Johnson.

Ten minutes into the second half Hitchin’s fans were celebrating again as a superb pass from Smith enabled McNamara to sidefoot past Weale for the fourth goal.

The Magpies rallied after the dismissal of Charles but Baghdadi’s free-kick proved to be merely a consolation as the clock wound down.