Hitchin gained their first point of the season thanks to a brilliant equalising goal from Callum Kane which meant Redditch drew their third consecutive game. It was no more than Hitchin deserved after dominating the second half. Team news was that Tyler McGregor was fit to return in goal but none of the other five injured players made the starting line-up.

Redditch had some early pressure and the dangerous Szhem Whyte-Hall shot wide after 10 minutes before Aram Soleman put a free kick over the bar. For Hitchin Teme Akinbusoye was in the thick of the action and the start to the game was much improved compared to the two previous games. However Redditch took the lead after 26 minutes when Alex Cameron scored after a header had come back off the bar.

Hitchin were not overawed by this setback and from a Kye Tearle free kick Ciaren Jones headed straight into keeper Rory Brown's hands when he could have done better. Then a George Morrall volley was saved after good work by Akinbusoye after 36 minutes and then Tearle shot wide.

Hitchin took control of the second half and were aggressive in midfield. Morrall had a shot saved before Rio Deall missed a great chance heading a Tearle free kick over the bar . Deall then had another chance shooting over the bar in the 70^th minute. The equaliser did eventually come after 78 minutes and it was a tremendous shot from 25 yards from Kane that gave the keeper no chance. The nearest to a winning goal came in injury time when Diogo Freitas-Gouveia shot just wide.

Hitchin were good value for their point and if anything were unlucky not to win the game. While the standard of the premier division is on another level to the central division Hitchin do not look out of place and when they are able to choose from a full squad further improvement can be expected.

Manager Michael Jones was happy with the point and the performance. He thought it proved again we can compete at this level. He felt we started much better than the two previous games and were more organised. While he was disappointed with the goal we conceded he was pleased with the character and response of the team. He felt we fully deserved the equaliser and could have got all three points. Comparing the start to this season to our previous spell in the premier division he feels we are more resilient than before when we seemed to accept defeat too easily.

Once again the crowd-a healthy 604- got behind the team and could see the effort and commitment that was produced. The next game is next Saturday when Hitchin visit league newcomers Racing Club Warwick.