We made a couple of changes from the lineup that played against Kettering. Bradbrook was in goal, Lewis, Oluwatimilehin, and Dickens played in front to form an unchanged back line. In midfield, it was also unchanged, Pinnington and Dunne out wide with Hunter and Turner in the middle of the park. We made a couple of changes to the attack though, Joe Neal and Afolabi Ololade dropped out, Malachi Napa and Callum Page replacing them meaning Napa and Page were either side of Allen.

It was a bright start for the Yellows, dominating possession, although we nearly fell behind early on, but the Hitchin attacker hit his shot way over from close range. However, straight up the other end Mal went close but he was denied by Horlock as was Romario when his low, ferocious volley was parried away. All this before Bradders was called into action to make a fantastic save, meaning neither side could find a breakthrough in a frantic opening 15 minutes. Half way through the opening 45, Horlock produced a fantastic double save first to deny Mal from the edge of the area, and then Oz from close range. Eventually we did take the lead though, two minutes before the break, thanks to Josh Allen who on the edge of the area hit a shot with his left foot that went right into the bottom corner. Bizarrely, just before that goal, the linesman fell over and that meant the restart was delayed as they had to receive treatment.

Half-Time AFC Sudbury 1-0 Hitchin Town

In the second half, with a new linesman, the game settled down. A nervous air lifted over the MEL Group and the match gave all the signs of it being a cagey relegation scrap. Neither side particularly went close, apart from an indirect free kick, which after a clever routine, Mal hit over the bar. For the rest of the match, the team was putting their bodies on the line for the club, even with some tactical fouls thrown in! At the end of the match a cheer and a sigh of relief echoed round the ground, the importance of this win cannot be understated.

Full-Time: AFC Sudbury 1-0 Hitchin Town

Well, that was huge wasn’t it! So much effort put in by every player, and everyone knew what they had to do. This isn’t over yet. Next up, we have Telford once again, who narrowly beat us a week ago, at home we know what we can do so let's bring the noise, be the 12th man for this team as that is the least, they deserve. Also, a big congratulation to Romario Dunne who was named our Heineken Man of The Match, well deserved!

UP THE SUDS

By Isaac Mennie