WEEKLY BULLETIN: 10TH OCTOBER
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 11 October vs Welwyn Garden City (H) – Southern League
We are back to Southern League action and welcome Welwyn Garden City FC to Top Field. There are a host of familiar faces in the Welwyn Garden City squad including Layne Eadie, Jack Green, Bradley Bell and Steve Cawley.
Welwyn Garden City currently sit one place ahead of Hitchin Town in the league table on 14 points but they have played one more fixture than Hitchin Town. We last met Welwyn Garden City in 2023 when we played an Emirates FA Cup fixture. Hitchin Town came out 2-1 winners with the Hitchin goals coming from Bradley Bell and Daniel Idiakhoa.
Tickets
Where possible we advising purchasing online. As well as being cheaper, it will ensure your quick and easy entry into the ground through the gate.
Please purchase your tickets online here:
https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
The online box office remains open until 30 minutes after kick off.
If you do need to buy your tickets in person, our Matchday ticket office will be open from 13.30-15.15 , and can be accessed from the rear car park (behind the Canary Club). Once you have purchased a ticket at the Matchday Ticket Office you will then present your ticket at the turnstiles for entry. More details here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/admission-prices/
Turnstiles open at 14.00
Parking
Unfortunately supporter parking is not available in the club car park (unless you are a registered blue badge holder and have made prior arrangements).
Food and Drink
The Canary Club bar is open from 11.00 with some of the lowest prices in Hitchin! Drinks can be taken into the ground in a reusable plastic cup. (£1 deposit required). You can exit to the bar during the match and will be re-admitted via the side gate by showing your hand-stamp.
Please enter the ground as early as possible before kick off to avoid congestion at the turnstiles. We have the following options inside the ground and you can still exit to the Canary Club Bar too:
Mad Squirrel Brewery are serving a great range of craft beers, ciders and lager. They are located adjacent to the main stand.
Canary Kitchen will be open from when the turnstiles open serving a great range of food and soft drinks including our signature HTFC Pies. They also have ice creams on offer!
Club Shop
Get your matchday programme, teamsheet, chocolate bars, sweets and HTFC merchandise from the club shop.
For full details on the facilities at Top Field see our Matchday Info page here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/matchday-info/
We look forward to welcoming everyone to Top Field and hope that everyone has a great afternoon.
Monday 13 October vs Biggleswade FC (A) – Southern League
On Monday 13 October we travel to Bedford Town’s ground for a Southern League fixture against Biggleswade FC. We are still smarting from our 3-1 FA Trophy defeat against Biggleswade on 19 September and will be looking for a much improved performance.
Other Fixture News
There are some new dates for your diary after this week’s Herts cup results.
On Tuesday 11 November we are now at home to Leverstock Green in the Herts Senior Cup kick-off 7.45pm. This means our league game at home to Enfield will have to be rearranged.
On Tuesday 2 December we are now at home to Berkhamsted in the Herts Charity Cup kick-off 7.45pm.
Manager’s Notes
Last Weekend’s Win at Marlow
Saturday we arrived at Marlow looking to bounce back from Tuesday evenings disappointing result. We started the game with much more attacking intent and we were finding plenty of different ways to get in behind the Marlow backline in the early exchanges. We then took the lead just after 10 minutes when Callum Kanes shot was deflected in. We continued to create some good chances and should have scored another goal. We then did get a second just before the 30 minute mark when some hard work from Kye Tearle and Taylor Rhiney allowed Liam Brooks to grab a goal. It was only 5 minutes later and the best goal of the game, where it started from a throw-in from Ciaren Jones by our penalty area and then 12 passes later Taylor Rhiney was putting the ball into the back of the net. We continued to push for more goals and just before half time some good play from Charlie Briggs and Liam Brooks allowed Callum Nicolson to score.
Half Time and the group showed a clinical side to our game that had been missing so far this season. We knew we were in a strong position but we wanted to stay on the front foot and try to add more goals to our game while keeping a clean sheet.
Second half got off to the worst start when Taylor Rhiney received a red card for an off the ball incident. This changed the way we approached the game as we did not want to give Marlow a sniff of getting back into the game. We sat deeper and allowed Marlow to have the ball, giving them the task of trying to break us down. They did score around 60 minutes when Josh Jackman lost possession high up the pitch and despite Charlie Briggs throwing everything on the line, Marlow shot from the edge of the box which went through Alfie Bondifeld to get them on the scoresheet. This was the only attempt on target during the match and we were able to see out a comfortable victory.
It’s a shame the second half we had to adapt due to a poor reaction from Taylor Rhiney as I felt we could have added more goals to our game and kept a clean sheet.
I would like to thank our loyal travelling support. We had a good following for one of our furthest games this season and it was great to reward their effort with some goals and a win.
Cup Win over Baldock Town in Midweek
Tuesday we entertained Baldock Town in the Herts Senior Cup. This game presented us with an opportunity to allow players who needed minutes a chance to play, so we were able to start Toby Syme, Stephen Gleeson, Fernando Bell – Toxtle, Charlie McDonald and George Morrall & Mbunya Alemanji who did not get on at the weekend. We were also able to include new signing Diogo Freitas – Gouveia for his first match day squad in two years. Despite the changes we wanted to follow on from Saturdays attacking display and we wanted to make sure we could get some momentum/consistency going.
We started the game with attacking intent, similar to Saturday but we were not as clinical as Saturday and we were very wasteful in the opening 20 minutes. These were chances we were putting in the back of the net on Saturday. This gave Baldock some confidence and they started to find their way into the game, creating one or two chances. We then took a deserved lead through Blue Joy, who scored a header from a well worked corner against his former team. This then helped relax the team in front of goal and it was not long before Mbunya Alemanji made it two.
We wanted to push on similar to Saturday and try and add more goals to our game but keep a clean sheet in the process. Credit to Baldock for the first 15 minutes of the second half they gave it a right go and were playing at a better tempo and had more control in the game which allowed them to create some really good chances which they probably should have scored. We went away from the play that had given us the success. We then had to call the players in for a chat to remind them of what we needed to do to regain our control in the game, we also made 3 substitutions to freshen things up. Toby Syme then added a third not long after and this put the game beyond any doubt. This allowed us to bring Diogo Freitas-Gouvia onto the pitch after two years out from football. 10 minutes after coming on Diogo was back on the scoresheet to give us our fourth goal of the game and this was quickly followed by Cole Butler scoring a header to make it five. We should have added more but we just lacked the finishing touch. The only downside was with the last kick of the game Baldock were able to score a goal.
It was great to see an attendance of 239 on a Tuesday night for a Herts Senior Cup match and it was again great to be able to reward them with not only a win but some goals.
The last two games have shown when we relax in front of the goal we can score goals, it was also nice to see nine different goal scorers. It was also great to see Fernando Bell-Toxtle make his first start for the club after a long time out with injury.
We now need to keep up this momentum and goalscoring to add the much needed consistency to our game.
Facing Welwyn Garden City at Home
Saturday we host Welwyn Garden City who will pose another tough challenge. I fully expect Welwyn to be in the playoffs come the end of the season. They came close last season but this season they have recruited really well and added the experience of former Canary Steve Cawley while adding the goals of Bailey Stevenson. We know how hard working and organised they will be. Welwyn also have a few other ex-Canaries in their ranks and it will be nice to see them all again on Saturday.
We need to make sure we can carry on our attacking intent from the previous games and make sure we improve our home form.
Trip to Biggleswade FC on Monday
It’s a quick turnaround this weekend as we travel to Bedford Town to play Biggleswade FC on Monday night.
Biggleswade easily beat us in the FA Trophy a few weeks ago. They have had a very good start to the season and have already picked up some good points against some very good teams.
We will be looking for some redemption from our previous game with them. We know this is a very tough fixture against a team that easily beat us.
The group will need to give a much better account of themselves if we want to get anything out of this game.
Player News
- Lewis Barker is currently taking a break from football due to increased work commitments/personal issues.
- Will McNeill is on a dual registration with Biggleswade United.
- Plamedi Bomolo has been on dual registration with Kempston Rovers as he looks to continue his development.
- Lewis Franklin will be back in contention this weekend.
- Taylor Rhiney starts his 3 game ban this weekend.
- Mbunya Alemanji is suffering from the Flu and may not be involved Saturday.
- Diogo Freitas – Goveia signed for the club last week. Diogo has been in training for a good period of time now as he recovers from 2 years out of the game. Diogo has exceptional quality that we hope to get out of him this season. Diogo will take some time to fully get match fit but we know the impact he can have on the group. Diogo has already shown this with a goal in his first game back on Tuesday.
Academy Update
Blue Joy scored for the first team on Tuesday night in the Herts Senior Cup against Baldock Town.
We also had Blue Joy and three former academy players nominated as the four players for Hitchin Town’s player of the month. It’s great to see Blue Joy, Kye Tearle, Lewis Franklin and Callum Kane doing so well in senior football for Hitchin Town FC having progressed from the academy.
If you would like to be part of the academy or would like to find out more information on what we offer please register your details using this link – https://extranet.wearescl.co.uk/ToolkitNew/webenrolment.aspx?page=~/webcontrols/courseapply.ascx&OfferingId=85258
Michael Jones
Hitchin Rotary Club at Top Field on Saturday
We are welcoming Alan Doggett and the Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse to Top Field on Saturday to support a great cause– Better Beginning for Babies.
They will be located next to Mad Squirrel during the match. Please donate to this worthy cause.
Kate Deller’s Charity Challenge
Since hearing the Garden House Hospice Care is in crisis I have decided to do a 13 mile walk to raise money for them. As you know I have an imminent hip replacement so thought I would get a walk in before that happens. We have all lost people who have been cared for by the Hospice so it touches us all. We have the Hospice as one of the Clubs chosen Charities so hope the Supporters could help support my endeavour.
You can donate to my JustGiving page by clicking here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/kate-deller-6?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=EM
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Garden House Hospice, so it’s the most efficient way to give – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Thank you,
Kate Deller
Updated County Cup Draws
The revised draw for the Herts Senior Cup 2nd round is as follows—
Hadley v Royston
Hitchin v Leverstock Green
Welwyn Garden City or Colney Heath v London Lions
Potters Bar v Watford
Cheshunt v Berkhamsted
Ware v Hemel Hempstead
AFC Welwyn v St Albans
Kings Langley or Bishops Stortford v Tring or Hertford
If Hitchin win they will beat home to Potters Bar or Watford in the quarter finals
The revised draw for the Herts Charity Cup quarter finals is as follows—
Hadley 1-0 Cheshunt
Leverstock Green 2-5 Royston
Hitchin v Berkhamsted
Hemel Hempstead v London Lions
If Hitchin win they will be away to Hemel Hempstead or London Lions in the semi finals.
Community Update
Coaching Courses at the Arena
Junior Ability Counts
Our Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock on Monday’s have two more weeks to run from Monday 13 October from 5-6pm. The sessions are open to 5-16 year olds with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
We also started Our Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock also have two weeks to run from Wednesday 15 October from 5.30-6.30pm with former Hitchin Town First Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison. The sessions are open to 6-14 year olds
October Half Term Holiday Courses
The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps
We are holding our football holiday camp at the Arena, Baldock starting on Tuesday 28th October and will run for three days until Thursday 30 October.
Girls Football at The Priory School
We have returned to delivering football coaching sessions for girls at The Priory School with Josh Mollison leading the coaching.
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Josh Mollison on info@htcfc.co.uk
Mark Burke
The Boy Done Good (Part 1)
Former Hitchin Town player Colin Cardines is a very proud father of Rio Cardines who has been featuring in the first team squad of Crystal Palace this season since his introduction to the squad for the Charity Sheild win at Wembley against Liverpool in August. Here he is seen celebrating the victory crouching just behind Eberechi Eze.
Colin was a fast right winger who played for Hitchin in the 1985 – 86 season making 17 appearances and scoring 3 goals.
Stevenage based Colin, joined from Bishops Stortford and made his debut in the home game against Farnborough that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Colin’s first goal was an important one against Haverhill Rovers in the FA Cup as it secured a draw that led to 2 replays before the Canaries finally came out victorious with a 3-0 win.
His last competitive match was in a 2-0 defeat to Baldock Town in the East Anglian Cup but he has returned a few times to play in veteran matches over the past few years.
Mark Burke
HTWFC Update
Results
Hitchin Town Women FC 0 – 2 Evergreen Eagles Women
Welwyn United Women 4 – 0 HTWFC Canaries
Sunday 12th October 2025
United in Memory v Hitchin Town Women FC
The Chauncy School, Ware, SG12 0DP
HTWFC Canaries v Goffs Oak
St Christophers School, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3JZ
Winter Training
We have now returned to The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, SG7 5AU for our winter training.
Training is held 19:30 to 20:30 weekly on a Wednesday evening. No experience necessary, wear something comfy and some football boots or astroturf trainers and your are set! Contact hello@hitchintownwomenfc.co.uk for more information!
Callum Ellis