This was another significant win for Hitchin against Hertford who inflicted a 3-1 defeat on the Canaries at Top Field and who were fourth in the table. It was always going to be a difficult game and so it proved as Hertford demonstrated what a good passing side they were.

Team news was that there were two changes from the starting eleven against Marlow. Toby Syme and Fernando Bell-Toxtle were replaced by Ciaren Jones and Stephen Gleeson while Josh Coldicott-Stevens returned as a substitute. Hitchin engineered a good move after just two minutes but the keeper was not tested. Then ex-Canary Billy Heaps finished a good run with a shot over the bar. Indeed Heaps looked determined to send a message to his old club as he was a constant source of danger and after Callum Nicolson shot just wide of the post it was Heaps who gave Herford the lead after 19 minutes. It was a good curling shot giving Tyler McGregor no chance.

Hertford were playing good football but Hitchin stayed calm and produced some good moves of their own. Taylor Rhiney shot weakly after one such move while Jones had his free kick easily saved by another ex-Canary James Callan. Callum Kane had a good shot deflected for a corner before Hitchin got the equaliser after 39 minutes. It was an excellent move with Kye Tearle passing to Lewis Franklin who in turn found Rhiney. His quality cross was expertly finished by Diogo Freitas-Gouveia. But then disaster struck as Tearle was penalised for a push in the penalty area. Surprisingly player manager Ben Herd opted not to take the penalty despite an impressive scoring record and instead Heaps was given the responsibility. Fortunately it was a poor penalty that sailed over the bar meaning half-time saw the sides level. Hitchin had not been at their best but did not allow Hertford too many chances.

The management asked for more from Hitchin in the second half and Michael Jones was delighted by the response as from the first whistle there seemed an extra intensity. Coldicott-Stevens replaced Gleeson for the second half and was only just wide with his shot in the 46^th minute. Just a minute later who else but Rhiney scored a brilliant goal. It was a powerful finish and meant he has scored in each of the past seven games. After Franklin was fouled Freitas-Gouveia put the free kick just over the bar but it was Franklin who scored the third goal after 63 minutes. Again it was a fine passing move as Kane fed Freitas-Gouveia who in turn set up Franklin who produced a devastating left foot finish.

Hitchin had really raised their game in the second half and fully deserved the lead. Rhiney nearly extended it after 73 minutes forcing a good save from Callan. At the other end McGregor did well to thwart Billy Mardell-Smith but Hitchin appeared comfortable until injury time. The referee indicated 7 minutes of additional time and after 94 minutes Lawrence Ajong had a free header to cut the deficit. However Hitchin saw out the remaining time to confirm a deserved victory over good quality opponents. It means the unbeaten league run stretches to 21 games with six successive victories. What was as impressive as the good quality football Hitchin produced was just how hard the team worked closing down their opponents and sprinting back to make tackles.

Tribute must also be paid to the magnificent away support. The large Hitchin contingent swelled the attendance to 574 and they provided noisy backing and can be considered to be Hitchin's twelfth man. Next up is a local derby with Biggleswade FC next Saturday at Top Field when another large crowd can be expected.