Weekly Bulletin

WEEKLY BULLETIN – 11TH FEB

7

FIXTURES

  • Monday 14th February Home to Redditch League kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets must be bought from our website.
  • This rearranged game was only confirmed on Wednesday so we could not give any more notice of this game. Please spread the word that the game is on Monday.
  • There is no game on Saturday.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

COALVILLE

Last Saturday we travelled to Coalville who were second in the table and unbeaten at home so the odds were stacked against us. However I was delighted with our performance especially in the first half. We deservedly took the lead but unfortunately a couple of lapses in concentration allowed Coalville to punish us with two goals. The same thing happened in the two previous games and is a problem we have to address.

We need to learn to be more clinical and our game management has to improve. I am certain that Coalville will make the play-offs with every chance of going all the way.

REDDITCH

Redditch will be the start of a very important series of matches where we will be up against teams who are around us in the table. It is important that we try to win three of these four games to boost our survival hopes.Three of these games are at Top Field and I urge our supporters to continue to get behind the team to help us across the line.

The players remain very much up for the battle and they fully appreciate how important these four games are in our battle to avoid relegation.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

  • Jake Hutchinson has had his loan from Colchester extended until 15th March.
  • Steve Gleeson returns to the squad for the Redditch game after his recent suspension.
  • Dan Webb came through the Coalville game with no ill affects.
  • Lewis Barker is now ready to play a full game after making a cameo appearance as sub at Coalville.

GROUND GRADING ACHIEVED
We are delighted to announce that we have been given the necessary ground grading. Had we not have achieved the grading we would have faced automatic relegation. We received notice this week that that our Grade C will be renewed. Huge credit has to be given to Kate Deller and Paul Sprague who were the driving force behind the transformation of Top Field. I thought it only fair to quote from Tony Stone’s letter to the club. He is the Ground Grading Coordinator for the Southern League and he said the following–

‘’I write following yesterday’s visit to review the facilities following the hard work by you and your team over the past months. I have been asked by the inspection team to formally pass on to you all a special thank you from them for all of your hard work and endeavours in helping not only to save, but transform the ground.

I am told that the work completed has also managed to keep the character alive of this much loved facility and the club is to be highly commended. There is more work to be done over future years, but a ground in real danger now has a new lease of life.

I would also like to add my congratulations on behalf of the League for a job well done.

Once again congratulations on completion of the work and I wish you well for the remainder of the season.’’

Kate and Paul were insistent that due thanks are given to our dedicated team of volunteers without whom we may not have achieved the necessary grade. So many thanks to the following—

Steve B, Rupert R, Marek M, Matthew M, Andy S, Steve M, Gary P, Allan J, Sam J, Paul M, Martin T, Mark M, Pete M, Kevin L, Nick S, David T, Paul S, Matt F, Stewart C, Lee D, Kate D, Steve M, Roger B, Alan J, Alan C, Colin E, Darren W, Bill R, Jan R, Alan W, Jan B, Jan W, Elaine C, Sascha GB, George M, Gracie D, Geoff T

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED FOR SATURDAY
There will be a volunteer day for hedge and ivy trimming this Saturday 12th February 9.00am start. If you are able to help please let Kate Deller know. Her email address is kate.deller@hitchintownfc.club

As there is no game why not take the chance to help keep Top Field neat and tidy.

TCKETING/MERCHANDISE NEWS
Tickets for Monday’s game against Redditch are now on sale. You can also now purchase tickets for the upcoming games against Biggleswade and Tamworth.

Please remember to visit the club shop on Monday where you can select from the wide range of merchandise on sale. If you cannot make it to the game visit the online club shop.

CANARY PODCAST BY FREDDIE CARDY
After Boreham Wood shocked Championship side Bournemouth in the FA Cup 4th round, we spoke to former Hitchin Town right-back Kane Smith about his side’s win, as well as going up against the team he supports in the next round, on the latest Canary Club Podcast!

Just search for ‘The Canary Club Podcast’ wherever you want to listen.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 9th February we played at Top Field against Luton Cedars in the National Youth Alliance League.

The week before we played away to Luton Cedars in the league and narrowly lost, would this game be repeat or redemption?

We started the game strong, looking to move the ball at speed to try and break down a defensively organised opposition team. We created a few half chances but these were not converted. Midway through the first half there was a great bit of play by Kye Tearle out wide who managed to put in a low cross for Nathan Bell to tap in at the back post. More chances we created after this goal but the score remained at 1-0 at the break.

In the second half Luton Cedars started off strongly putting the backline of Hitchin under pressure without creating any chances to force Daniel Weaver into action. 10 minutes into the second half a corner to the back post was converted by Stan Georgiou to give Hitchin a 2-0 lead. This gave Hitchin control and with the opposition rarely threatening it looked like a comfortable remainder to the game. Unfortunately a rare mistake at the back allowed the opposition to score with their first shot on target of the match. This revitalised them and made the remainder of the game a real battle but the young Canaries managed to control the game to bring home the 2-1 win.

This leaves us in second in the table with 8 games to play.

Open Training Session

On Friday 18th February we are hosting an open training session for all players in year 11 – 13 who want to be part of our Academy for the 22-23 season.

The session will be held at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all-weather pitch.

The session will run between 12noon – 2pm.

If you are interested in attending or want further information on what we offer, then please click on the link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
We first spoke with Jamie Smith, the Canaries manager who managed a joint XI & Canaries team in a friendly with St Maragetsbury.

‘On Sunday both squads become one team and travelled to St. Margaretsbury United ladies football club for a friendly.

The weather wasn’t the greatest but despite this they still managed to get the game on. The game started well with Hitchin controlling the tempo. GOAL! It was Allen who managed to find the back off the net with a comfortable finish after a great ball in from Day. This lifted Hitchin’s confidence and we started to pile on the pressure with Darling being a nuisance and giving the St. Margaretsbury’s defence many problems to sort. GOAL! The persistence paid off as Darling found the back of the net after a great cross from Day and a quality header to find the top corner. Some brilliant passing meant another great attack. GOAL! Spang sneaked in between two defenders and released a brilliant shot. Great assist from Darling. The back four consisting off Moore, Rufaioglu, Coffey, and Aimes had a quality first half not giving St. Margaretsbury any easy chances. GOAL! St. Margaretsbury sent a long ball over the top and their striker managed to beat the defence and finished with an outstanding shot from outside the area to find the top corner. Day had a few shots on target unlucky not to score out there today.

Half time score 3.1

Few changes in positions for the Hitchin team as they started the second half. Both teams had started to battle hard with some great ball play. Spang and Allen both unlucky not to add to their tally and score line. GOAL! St. Margaretsbury! A wild shot found the back of the net. The pitch conditions started to have a knock-on effect and some reckless challenges from both teams were being made.

Great shot from a St. Margaretsbury player as they hit the crossbar and then Reinsford with yet another great save. With only a few minutes left Hitchin needing to pile on some pressure now if they wanted to keep ahead. With lots of great passing, pressing and attacking this gave Hitchin a few more shots on target with St. Margaretsbury’s keeper needing to stay focused. GOAL! Day took a free kick and Evans was on head to steer the ball but unfortunately it hit the crossbar. Darling found the ball loose in the box and poked it into the net.

Final whistle 4-2

Player’s player Reinsford

Manager’s player Spang’

SUNDAY 13TH FEBUARY 2022

HTWFC CANARIES V SHERRARDSWOODLADIES FC
Beds & Herts Women’s Football League, Division Two

Keep up to date with all the live scores & fixtures, Twitter @HitchinTownWFC or on Facebook, Hitchin Town Womens FC

We are still continuing to recruit for players for the 2021/2022 season. We train Wednesday evenings at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU. Training starts at 20:30 and finishes at 22:00, all abilities welcome!

BY ROY IZZARD