It being Non-League Day, and with no Premier League games scheduled we nursed the hope that our attendance might benefit. Mind you, the club bulletin makes for some unsettling reading at times.

Our immediate opponents, Stratford Town, were unbeaten in their last seven games and were fourth in the last six games league table.

When we travel to Cheshunt for the Hertfordshire Senior Cup final, we will face a Berkhamsted side that needs just one point to gain promotion to Premier Division level and their last eighteen matches they have won seventeen and drawn one.

Hitchin Town 1-0 Stratford Town: Report by Pipeman, photographs by Peter Else

That is very impressive and it ought to make for a good game on Wednesday.

Hitchin have had a pleasing habit of winning away at Stratford, but each game has been a close encounter between evenly matched teams. I add in little above a whisper that the Canaries have endured a gloomy run of nine league matches without a victory. Today would be a good time to alter the statistics and, if possible , in some style.

The weather was set fair, the pitch looked fine and Stratford turned out in their retro Luton style kit. Hitchin began proceedings by attacking the open terraced end. There was an immediate free kick for the hosts with Wilkinson held back. Coldicott-Stevens sent it in and but for Josh Allen's air shot we might have gone one up.

More positive stuff followed that called for routine Stratford defending, but they launched a first attack that brought a corner, which in turn brought a robust shot launched among the trees. A Hitchin free kick from the right saw a fair header from Toby Syme into the gloves of Liam O' Brien.

A slightly unsavoury incident resulted in a Stratford player being cautioned – Ebanks being the guilty party. Bell won a free kick and we hoped that after this initial twenty minutes we might see a real attempt on goal, but alas we only saw a goal kick. There was also a bit too much aerial combat where conditions suited playing it along the floor.

Hitchin Town 1-0 Stratford Town: Report by Pipeman, photographs by Peter Else

A Hitchin corner saw the usual delay owing to the pushing and shoving and then a further corner from the other side. This one also went astray.

Then Eadie tried one from long range, which the keeper parried into the path of Josh Allen who converted smartly after twenty- seven minutes. Simple and effective but hard luck on the keeper nonetheless. Hitchin pressure prevented the visitors from responding for the moment. When they did they found Jones and Barker in full defensive mode.

Hay's decent cross gave Allen a half chance and then Stratford won a corner and a header that obligingly cleared the bar. With ten minutes to go to half time Hitchin looked comfortable and looking to increase their lead.

Horlock was needed to monitor a shot from range and Mc Cone's free kick was adequately defended. Idiakhoa was disrupted on a run and the following free kick was claimed by O' Brien. The half ended inauspiciously for the visitors with Mc Cone receiving a yellow card.

Stratford resumed with apparent intent, interrupted by an injury to Horlock which cynics said was a bit early for him. Lafferty had a half chance that Horlock monitored closely and care was needed. Wright had replaced Hawker and the latter was already looking useful. Allen won a free kick on the run that, like others, was entirely wasted.

Wilkinson had a free kick and the effort went wide and then a Bards' long throw brought a corner, and then another, to keep up this bit of pressure. This came to nothing, but Wright was disappointed with his poor shot in the next move. Hitchin needed to regain their flowing play of the first period and from passing moves rather than the long clearance.

Stratford made a further substitution with Owen replacing Akubuine. There was a home free kick, wide on the right that begged a good cross but the Bards held firm. Williams' run and cross was dealt with and then Hitchin were awarded another free kick on the left that had a disappointing conclusion. We had reached the hour mark and a rain shower sent people scurrying for cover.

Hitchin Town 1-0 Stratford Town: Report by Pipeman, photographs by Peter Else

Stratford win a free kick in a fine strategic position just clear of the 'D'. Bennett almost lazily put it over the bar. Playing their best football Stratford were knocking at the door. Hay might have done some damage with his shot but it was wildly inaccurate. Snelus replaced Allen at this stage and Hitchin needed to grasp more control.

What flow there was became interrupted with fouls and some grim defending by both teams.Wilkinson's winning a free kick invited a meaningful set piece. O' Brien was equal to the fine shot that appeared to strike the post. It was the closest we came to a second goal.

There was just over five minutes of normal time to go in a game I thought would yield a higher score. It was a pity that JCS in his fine run could not make his cross tell more efficiently. Tearle replaced Bell for the last few minutes.

I do not know how he manages it but Kye Tearle actually managed to get himself booked again, having been present for just a couple of minutes. It must be something in his DNA. We had entered a fifth minute of stoppage time but the points appeared safe. And so it was. A first league win in ten outings and generally deserved by Hitchin who provided a workmanlike performance.

Attention now switches to the Hertfordshire Senior Cup Final and it is of interest that our opponents, Berkhamsted, champions elect of the Division One Central, suffered a rare defeat and still require a point to be confirmed as champions.

Non- League Day may be seen as a success as the 553 attendance (only two short of the last home game ) was well above average.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, (Kye Tearle, cautioned), Layne Eadie, Toby Syme, Ciaren Jones, this reporter's Man of The Match, Lewis Barker, Finley Wilkinson, Josh Coldicott- Stevens, Ashley Hay, Daniel Idiakhoa, Josh Allen, GOAL, 27 minutes, Sponsors' Man of the Match, ( Jack Snelus).

Substitutes not used- Stephen Cawley, Charles Patmore, GK, Kavan Cotter.

STRATFORD TOWN

Liam O' Brien, Daniel Lafferty, ( William Grocott), Lee Vaughan, cautioned, Lewis Ludford- Ison, Paul McCone, captain, cautioned, Jack Turner, Kyle Bennett, Jesse Akubuine, (Morgan Owen), Callum Ebanks, cautioned, Charlie Williams, Josh Hawker, ( Andre Wright).

Substitutes not used- Louis Beresford, GK, Jamie Molyneux.

Referee – Mr S Kyle assisted by Mr M Tingey and Mr R Burns.

Attendance 553

REPORT BY PIPEMAN