By Sean Aitchison

It was end to end attacking play in the first 20 minutes. Hitchin were first to nearly open the scoring with a shot hitting the cross bar which then some how stayed in play. They had a second chance but the shot this time hit the upright post.

After 36 minutes Aveley had a free kick 28 yards from goal, the Aveley skipper John Maskell steped up to take it. As the Hitchin keeper was getting his wall organised John Maskell quickly took the free kick low past the wall and past the struggling keeper. Aveley were on the attack again soon after with Joao Carlos glancing his header just wide.

Barnes scored the equaliser for Hitchin by splitting the Aveley defence. Aveley were kept in the game by some fantastic saves from James Marrrable.

In the dying minutes Barnes scored the winner for Hitchin. He looked to be in an offside position but the linesman kept his flag down.

Aveley: James Marrrable, Ryan Doyle, Sean Francis, John Maskell (Captain), Sam Holloway (Paul White 89), Joao Carlos, Garry Skerritt (Matthew Johnson 84), Nicky Wettner, Bradley Barnes, Wayne Vaughan (Junior Dadson 80), Petrit Elbi