Many supporters considered this a must win game for Hitchin, a real six pointer as they faced winless bottom side Stamford at Top Field. So there was pressure on the team to turn recent good performances into points and they responded with a comprehensive victory with three goals scored and a clean sheet.

There were changes from Saturday as Callum Nicolson. George Morrall and Diego Freitas-Gouveia replaced Dan Stokoe, Toby Syme and Kavan Cotter. Jack Mason was again in goal with Tyler McGregor still injured. From the first whistle Hitchin seemed fired up and Diogo had a shot blocked in the first minute while Luke Stokoe had a shot deflected for a corner 3 minutes later. It was all Hitchin and Ciaren Jones had a header from a corner saved before Owen brooks opened the scoring after 6 minutes. He took advantage of a defensive error and finished emphatically. Brooks was lively throughout the game working hard and showing good pace to unsettle the Stamford defence.

After 30 minutes Brooks produced another good run but his shot lacked power. Stamford had not been in the game but Alfie Fisken had a great chance that he put over the bar in a rare attack. Jamie Breen who pushed forward with purpose had a shot just over the bar but no further goals came before half time.

There were two changes for the second half with Syme and Jack Snelus replacing Charlie Briggs and Sean Duodu. Hitchin were again on the front foot and more good work from Brooks produced a dangerous cross that failed to be met with a firm shot. However the second goal arrived after 53 minutes and it was the lethal combination of a perfectly delivered corner from Nicolson that was powerfully headed home by Jones. Brooks had another shot saved before scoring the third goal. Stokoe took advantage of a defensive slip but his shot hit the post only for Brooks to net the rebound.

The other substitutes came on but the game was already decided as Stamford never looked like staging a comeback. Breen came close again with another shot that was saved at the expense of a corner but there were to be no more goals.

So it was a very much needed victory and the performance was very good. Hitchin need to show this level of consistency on a regular basis and they can climb the league table. Recent signings have improved the squad and there is real competition for places which is just what the manager wants.