Late show lifts Heathens: Flackwell rally from early setback to beat Stotfold 3-1

Connor Young scored the winner against Stotfold on Saturday. Photo credit: Jeremy Vaughan @jezz_takes_pics (instagram)

--

Flackwell Heath 3, Stotfold 1

Flackwell Heath managed to get back to winning ways in the Southern League Central Division against Stotfold on Saturday, just days after knocking Bracknell Town out of the FA Cup on an emotional night at Bottom Meadow.

Chris Ayres side advanced into the final qualifying round of the cup, and an away tie at Maldon & Tiptree with a 3-0 win at Bracknell on Tuesday, but they had to rouse themselves for their return to league action against lowly Stotfold at Wilks Park.

This they did magnificently, winning the clash 3-1, however, they had to come from behind to claim all three points after Harry Snee fired the visitors in front after only three minutes.

Thankfully, Jack Shakespeare settled nerves and got the hosts back on level terms almost immediately. And, just when it seemed they might be held to a fourth straight 1-1 draw at home in all competitions, Connor Young popped up with a winner in the 85th minute and Harlem Hale finished off Stotfold’s hopes in the 93rd minute.

Goal Highlights from yesterday’s 3-1 win over Stotfold FC…

Henry Snee 3’ (0-1)
Jack Shakespeare 5’ (1-1)
Connor Young 85’ (2-1)
Harlem Hale 90+3’ (3-1)
Att. 226 #Heathens #3Points #SouthernLeague pic.twitter.com/crBbjFscQ6

— Flackwell Heath FC (@FHFC1907) October 5, 2025

The Heathens have been going along very nicely in the FA Cup, but they really needed to get back to winning ways in the league after 1-1 draws at home to Leverstock Green and Enfield.

Those results saw Heath fall out of the top 10, despite being unbeaten in the league this season, but they needed a win on Saturday to keep pace with the front-runners - some of whom have played a couple more matches than them.

Now up to 10th, Flackwell have another break from the league this Saturday, for their FA Cup final qualifying round trip to Isthmian League North leaders Maldon & Tiptree. They are then back on the road in the league at fifth placed Biggleswade Town.

They also host Didcot Town FC in the second round of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup at Wilks Park tomorrow night.  

FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round…

Official Match-Day Coach seats, don’t miss out, book yours now… https://t.co/bxbvnILA85

️ Match-Day Tickets https://t.co/PqJxP78LTd#Heathens #FACup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/FDxlVYJEbG

— Flackwell Heath FC (@FHFC1907) October 6, 2025

--

Marlow 1, Hitchin Town 4

In the same division, Marlow now find themselves outside of the bottom four relegation places on goal difference alone after losing 4-1 at home to Hitchin Town at Oak Tree Road.

Blues boss Mark Bartley felt he had gone some way to correcting some of the issues that had been impacting his side in the early weeks of the season as they were beaten narrowly by Hadley before winning 2-1 away at Northwood in mid-week.

But they were very much second best to a Hitchin side who ran away from them in the first half, establishing a 4-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Callum Kane (11'), Liam Brooks (28'), Taylor Rhiney (34') and Callum Nicolson (45').

The Blues managed to pull back one consolation goal through Harvey Maudner in the 61st minute, but this only came after Hitchin striker Rhiney was sent off in the early stages of the second half.

The Blues go to second bottom Thame United in the league on Tuesday.

Speaking to club media afterwards, Bartley said: “The overwhelming feeling is one of frustration really. Off the back of the last couple of performances where I felt we’d made some real progress and seen a much better level from the team.

“But what we saw from the team in the first half today just wasn’t good enough. Today, without the ball we just weren’t good enough. When you’re looking at the game and you’re seeing their runners going beyond us, and we’re not tracking them, that just won’t work. It’s hugely frustrating because I felt the group had made a huge leap forward.

“To undo it in that fashion, particularly at home, I wasn’t pleased with it. Yes, second half was better, but that wasn’t very difficult. The people who came on gave us a lift, but our opponents were 4-0 up and they were able to sit in. I’m frustrated and I’ve let the players know that.

“We now have to focus on putting it right on Tuesday.”

He added: “This is a young group and results like this can happen. The team is very young, and we must sometimes consider that when we see performances like that.”