Hitchin ground out a hard fought victory in the local derby at Stotfold as Kye Tearle produced a brilliant match winning goal. There was a carnival atmosphere at the JSJ Stadium as 1,106 supporters packed in to break the ground attendance record which previously stood at 620. It was a glorious sunny day and the pitch was again hard and the ball was bouncing high. Manager Michael Jones made four changes from the Good Friday starting eleven as Tearle made a welcome return from injury alongside Josh Jackman, Fernando Bell-Toxtle and Brett Langden and they replaced the injured Lewis Franklin, Will McNeill, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia and Blue Joy.

In local derbies form tend to go out of the window and Stotfold were clearly in no mood to make it easy for Hitchin. Their game plan seemed to be to get as many men behind the ball as possible, restricting space for Hitchin to play their passing football and it proved difficult difficult to break through a well drilled defence. It meant the game lacked goalmouth action and chances were at a premium.

Hitchin as expected dominated possession. Kavan Cotter volleyed wide early on before Tearle had a long range shot saved by Liam Gooch. Stotfold attacks were few and far between but Tyler McGregor did well to cut out a dangerous cross from Daniel Kemp. Hitchin had to be patient and came close after 37 minutes when Ciaren Jones headed on a Callum Nicolson corner to Charlie Briggs who headed over the bar. It was goalless at half time and Stotfold would have been pleased with their defensive resilience.

Tearle was looking most likely to score as he was not afraid to shoot from any distance. His weak shot was easily saved after 48 minutes but he forced Gooch to make a good save tipping his shot over the bar after 74 minutes. Then on 81 minutes Tearle produced a moment of magic with a brilliant finish from some 25 yards out which Gooch could do nothing about as the ball nestled in the corner of the net to the delight of the hundreds of Hitchin supporters. It was a goal fitting to win any game and ironically it was Tearle's last contribution as he collapsed with cramp and had to be replaced. But he had shown just how much he has been missed since breaking a toe.

Taylor Rhiney was unlucky with an audacious lob that went just over the bar after a clever Jones pass but Hitchin managed the last part of the game really well. Manaager Jones was very happy with the performance He felt the players were dominant with possession but also showed patience and did what they needed to do. He knew it would be a difficult game but was delighted that the two Easter games had produced two wins and two clean sheets. He knows there can be no easing up in the final league games as we look to secure second place and home advantage in the play-offs.