A good job well done was the reaction of manager Michael Jones as Hitchin secured home advantage for the play-off semi-final and hopefully final. It was a well deserved victory on a difficult pitch and it was also a fifth consecutive clean sheet. Hitchin were hit by a blow when Callum Kane had to be withdrawn after the pre- match warm up and was replaced by Cole Butler. They were already missing Lewis Franklin. Callum Nicolson, Brett Longdon, Will McNeill and Josh Jackman as the strength of the squad was again shown. 

It was a glorious sunny day as a game of cricket was being played just outside the ground. Hitchin had two early attempts as Butler had a shot blocked after Kav Cotter's lay-off then Josh Coldicott-Stevens blasted a shot over the bar. Northwood had a good chance but Alie Bangura shot wide. Hitchin continued to create chances and on 23 minutes Butler's cross found Taylor Rhiney but his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner. Cole had another shot easily saved before Hitchin took the lead on 30 minutes. Great credit goes to Tyler McGregor who cleverly took a quick goal kick to Charlie Briggs who sent a searching through ball over the Northwood defence to Rhiney who ran at the defence before scoring an excellent goal from a sharp angle. Hitchin deserved the lead and could have added to it before half-time. Butler shot over the bar as did Fernando Bell-Toxtle while Butler who was getting into some good attacking positions had two further chances. 

Rhiney had two attempts early in the second half before McGregor pulled off the best save of the game when he tipped over the bar a firm header from Freddie Ford. This saw an uncomfortable ten minutes for Hitchin but nerves were calmed after 67 minutes when Rhiney was fouled in the penalty area and as ever his spot kick was decisive. From this time Hitchin managed the game well and never looked in danger of being pegged back. All four substitutes got a run out and it was Hitchin who came closest to adding further goals as George Morrall and Diogo Freitas-Gouveia had chances.

 So Hitchin now have two remaining games travelling to London Lions on A good job well done was the reaction of manager Michael Jones as Hitchin secured home advantage for the play-off semi-final and hopefully final. It was a well deserved victory on a difficult pitch and it was also a fifth consecutive clean sheet. Hitchin were hit by a blow when Callum Kane had to be withdrawn after the pre- match warm up and was replaced by Cole Butler. They were already missing Lewis Franklin. Callum Nicolson, Brett Longdon, Will McNeill and Josh Jackman as the strength of the squad was again shown.

It was a glorious sunny day as a game of cricket was being played just outside the ground. Hitchin had two early attempts as Butler had a shot blocked after Kav Cotter's lay-off then Josh Coldicott-Stevens blasted a shot over the bar. Northwood had a good chance but Alie Bangura shot wide. Hitchin continued to create chances and on 23 minutes Butler's cross found Taylor Rhiney but his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner. Cole had another shot easily saved before Hitchin took the lead on 30 minutes. Great credit goes to Tyler McGregor who cleverly took a quick goal kick to Charlie Briggs who sent a searching through ball over the Northwood defence to Rhiney who ran at the defence before scoring an excellent goal from a sharp angle. Hitchin deserved the lead and could have added to it before half-time. Butler shot over the bar as did Fernando Bell-Toxtle while Butler who was getting into some good attacking positions had two further chances. 

Rhiney had two attempts early in the second half before McGregor pulled off the best save of the game when he tipped over the bar a firm header from Freddie Ford. This saw an uncomfortable ten minutes for Hitchin but nerves were calmed after 67 minutes when Rhiney was fouled in the penalty area and as ever his spot kick was decisive. From this time Hitchin managed the game well and never looked in danger of being pegged back. All four substitutes got a run out and it was Hitchin who came closest to adding further goals as George Morrall and Diogo Freitas-Gouveia had chances.

So Hitchin now have two remaining games travelling to London Lions on Wednesday before hosting Thame on Saturday in what will be a crucial game for Thame. Confidence is high with the County Cup win and solid league form as momentum builds towards the play-offs.