Hitchin closed the gap on leaders Leighton Town to six points with a comfortable victory over Aylesbury United.

Hitchin were dominant throughout the 90 minutes and fully deserved their win. Manager Michael Jones again made full use of the squad with starts for Blue Joy and Fernando Bell-Toxtle while Brett Langden and Liam Brooks were on the bench.

It was a glorious sunny day and the Top Field playing surface looked immaculate and was a real credit to the ground staff. From the first whistle Hitchin dominated possession and within the first 15 minutes Lewis Franklin and Callum Nicolson came close . A goal was coming and it arrived after 18 minutes. Yet another great delivery from Nicolson's corner caused confusion in the box and Josh Coldicott-Stevens provided a crisp finish.

Callum Kane was a constant source of danger down the left wing and he shot just wide after 25 minutes before producing another good cross that nobody could get on the end of. Franklin shot over the bar and Nicolson produced a good save from Jack Hopwood but Hitchin could not get a second goal before half-time. 

Hitchin started quickly in the first 5 minutes of the second half but against the run of play Aylesbury scored a shock equaliser after 51 minutes as a soft shot from Rocko Tamplin crept in at the far post. Hitchin did not let this distract them and continued to dominate and regained the lead after 59 minutes. Taylor Rhiney held the ball up really well before providing an excellent pass to Franklin who as ever scored with a really good finish. Charlie Briggs then headed over the bar when he really should have scored but Hitchin put the game to bed in the 63^rd minute as a probing pass from Ciaren jones found Bell-Toxtle and he made no mistake to beat Hopwood.

Hitchin managed the rest of the game really well and never looked like allowing Aylesbury back in the game. Rhiney nearly scored in added time when his shot was blocked but at the final whistle Hitchin could feel pleased with a 3-1 scoreline. To add to the feel good factor Leighton lost 2-1 and Biggleswade Town lost 3-1. So it was a really good day for Hitchin and another bumper crowd of 946 went home happy and entertained. The only downside was Franklin limping off and hopefully it is not a serious injury as he is so influential. 

Next up it is a trip to Welwyn Garden City on Tuesday and Hitchin have to keep winning to keep the pressure on Leighton. But after five consecutive victories confidence is high and the supporters will continue to provide the backing that can only help the promotion push.