Hitchin's visit to play Welwyn Garden City will not linger long in the memory. It was an instantly forgettable game and probably the worst game of the season. There were extenuating circumstances. The Welwyn pitch is notorious as one of the most difficult playing surfaces and this combined with a very strong wind and driving rain made conditions really difficult and there was no way Hitchin could play their normal passing football. The game saw both teams playing long balls and the ball seemed to spend more time in the air than on the ground and this suited Welwyn. There were very few moments of excitement for the crowd to enjoy and a 0-0 scoreline did always seem the likely outcome.

Before the game Hitchin learned that the Southern league had decided that the abandoned London lions game should be replayed rather than awarding the points to the Canaries and this seemed to leave a cloud over the performance. Once again Micharl Jones rotate the squad with Josh Jackman, Kavan Cotter and Liam Brooks starting with Will McNeill, Blue Joy and Fernando Bell-Toxtle dropping to the bench. The game had a scrappy start and never really got going with clear cut chances at a premium. Jackman had a shot saved at the expense of a corner on 10 minutes while Brooks turned well and shot just wide after 26 minutes. But goalmouth action was minimal and the nearest we came to a goal in the first half was a Ciaren Jones free kick that hit the post.

The entertainment value did not improve in the second half and again there were few chances. Charlie Briggs had a shot blocked after 73 minutes and Taylor Rhiney had his shot saved after 88 minutes from probably our best chance. Three minutes in to injury time Lewis Franklin shot wide and the game finished as had looked likely at 0-0. 

This was never going to be an easy game as Welwyn had only lost one of their last nine games and it is the old adage that if you don't win make sure you don't lose. Hitchin did generally defend well and limited the chances Welwyn were able to create and will be happy to have another clean sheet. Hitchin must move on and get back to wining ways and they must be ready for any further slips from Leighton. While the huge away following were disappointed with the performance this is testimony to the very high standards that had been set all season and again allowance has to be made for the difficult conditions.