Hitchin progressed to the Herts Senior Cup final with a well deserved victory over London Lions.

When I spoke to manager Michael Jones after the game he was all smiles unlike on Saturday when he was so disappointed with what happened at Leverstock Green. He was really pleased with the performance against London Lions and particularly so having made nine changes from Saturday's line up. Those who came in worked hard and despite going a goal down we were clearly the better team. Michael was also proud of the fact that we had three of our Academy players playing really well in Blue Joy, Will McNeil and Elliot Phillips and looking at home in a first team shirt. Indeed seventeen year old Elliot became the hero of the hour when just three minutes after coming on as sub he scored the winning goal.

The league game with London Lions was abandoned and the first attempt to play this cup tie was thwarted just before kick-off with heavy rain flooding the pitch. But at last we completed a game at London Lions and the playing surface was very good indeed which helped us after the mud heap at Leverstock Green. There was a healthy crowd of 160 far above their average and there was a good atmosphere. McNeil had a weak shot early on before Ciaren Jones sent George Morrall away and from his cross Liam Brooks really should have scored.

As it was London Lions took the lead from a free header from a corner after 23 minutes. Mikey Perkins was the scorer and Hitchin will be disappointed with the room he had giving Josh Mollison no protection. Hitchin were not put off by the goal and equalised just seven minutes later as Diogo Freitas-Gouveia chased a long ball with real determination and applied a stunning finish to bring Hitchin level. They nearly went ahead as Jones sent a searching long pass to McNeil whose shot was saved. Just before half-time Kav Cotter did well and the move finished with Diogo missing a really good chance.

In the second half Hitchin were still the better team. Diogo had another dangerous run and cross after 53 minutes while Cole Butler had a shot blocked. After 62 minutes Callum Kane and Callum Nicolson replaced Butler and Fernando Bell -Toxtle. Hitchin were looking the most likely to score and Brooks shot just wide while Diogo had a further dangerous run.

London Lions failed to take advantage of a defensive error after 72 minutes when they should have scored but this was an isolated moment of danger for Hitchin . Lewis Franklin and Phillips came on for Cotter and Brooks and this set the stage for Phillips to become the match winner. Hitchin won a free kick just outside the area and Diogo and Jones both lined up to take a shot at goal. However they fooled everybody as Diogo played a short ball to Jones who sent in a cross that Phillips turned home. Hitchin saw out the rest of the game including seven extra minutes with good game management.

So Hitchin are in the final of the Herts Senior Cup where they will face either Bishops Stortford or St Albans. This was an important win not just for the reward of a place in the final but because they left behind the memory of the below par performance at Leverstock Green and can now confidently return to league action on Saturday where nothing less than three points will do. There was valuable game time for the squad members who have been on the bench recently and there was confirmation that the Academy continues to produce players for the first team.