Holders Hitchin exited the Herts Senior Cup at the first hurdle as they were beaten 2-1 by St Albans. But a much changed team gave a good display and there was little to choose between the two sides. Manager Michael Jones made no less than seven changes from Saturday's line up with only Tyler McGregor, Blue Joy, Jamie Breen and Toby Syme keeping their places. This gave valuable game time to a number of players while others were given a night off.

There was a very low key atmosphere to the game with a sparse attendance of only 290 present. Hitchin started well and Taylor Rhiney had a good shot on 7 minutes while he was involved in a good move with Rio Deall. The closing down was good and the players were working hard.

St Albans took the lead after 39 minutes and it was a good run and finish by Kai Brown. But Hitchin equalised just 3 minutes later as Dylan Stitt put in a good free kick that Boni Pagano headed home and 1-1 was a fair reflection of the first half. Tobi Akinyimika shot over the bar after 54 minutes and McGregor went down injured and needed a long spell of treatment before he could continue.

Hitchin were still in the game and Stitt had a shot well saved by Sam Donkin who again produced the goods from a Rhiney shot. But just 2 minutes after coming on as a substitute Sidney Turner scored the winning goal from close range. Hitchin used all their substitutes and pressed hard for the equaliser. Sean Duodu came closest in the second minute of added time but St Albans held on.

With the number of changes made this was a good effort from Hitchin. Now their cup involvement is over it will be full concentration on improving the league position now and showing more consistency.