Tuesday's match in Hertfordshire was the Swifts' first game for over a fortnight, and the combination of that and a late arrival due to congestion on the M25 causing an 8.20pm kick off; ensured a sluggish start for Swifts on a flat pitch though with standing water from the driving rain.

It needed a super save from Kingsley Banks to prevent home skipper Adam Parker giving his side an early lead.

At the other end, Kris Lee's curling effort from a tight angle failed to trouble Bonfield in the Hitchin goal.

Heybridge gradually settled with Ian Wiles in tremendous form at the back and Gary Waters getting better as the game went on.

A series of niggly fouls from both sides ensured a stop start game, with the referee taking nine names, five from the visitors and four from Hitchin.

Waters hit a fierce effort as a corner dropped and the ball hit a Hitchin arm, but Heybridge's ambitious penalty appeals were waved away.

Colin Wall was caught in possession and Hitchin broke well, Carl Williams and Nathan Lamey quick and strong, but the threat was snuffed out.

Hitchin dominated possession but were rarely able to threaten Banks's goal again.

Lee broke clear from a Chris Payne pass and crossed for Simon Parker all on his own on the edge of the home area but the ball got caught in the water and Bonfield was able to collect well.

On 29 minutes Parker made amends with an intelligent curling strike into the net after John Pollard had won a header and controlled the ball well to feed the young striker.

After a scrappy period Lee struck once more deep into first half injury time, brushing off a series of challenges to burst through the home defence and bend a fine shot past Bonfield to make it 2-0 at the interval.

Swifts defended deep and in numbers after the break inviting Hitchin on to them, but the homesters never seriously threatened, apart from one goalmouth scramble with the ball eventually being cleared.

Gillespie worked tirelessly in midfield in defence and attack, and Wiles pulled out a great tackle to stop a surging Lamey advance.

Terry Warwick replaced the injured Parker on 70 minutes and gave added impetus to the Swifts front line, controlling the ball and bringing the midfield into the game.

Two snap shots from Warwick could have brought further reward and a jinking run from the hard working Andy Tomlinson almost created a scoring chance.

It was another display of character and determination from Swifts.

Heybridge Swifts: Kingsley Banks, Colin Wall, Ian Wiles, Dave Streetley, Gary Waters, John Pollard, Chris Payne, Simon Parker (Terry Warwick, 70 mins), Adam Gillespie, Kris Lee, and Andy Tomlinson. Unused Substitutes: Dave Kreyling, and Phil Leggatt.

Swifts first team are without a fixture tomorrow (Saturday) but the Reserves have an Essex & Herts League game at Scraley Road against St. Margaretsbury, (3 pm kick off), when a few first team squad members are expected to be taking the field.

Next Tuesday, (February 6), Tiptree United are the visitors to Scraley Road in an Essex Senior Cup tie, with a 7.30 pm kick off.

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