WEEKLY BULLETIN – 12TH AUGUST
FIXTURES
- Saturday 13th August home to Rushall Olympic League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online.
- Tuesday 16th August away to AFC Rushden & Diamonds League kick-off 7.45pm. There is no coach for this game.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
BARWELL
I was absolutely delighted that we returned to Top Field with three very valuable points after our 2-1 win over Barwell. We started the game brightly and it was then an even game up until what I considered to be a dubious penalty decision. I have watched the incident again as we film our games and the evidence seemed to prove Charlie Horlock was very unlucky to be penalised by the referee. But a penalty was given and we found ourselves 1-0 down. Barwell took the initiative but on the stroke of half time a moment of madness saw one of the Barwell centre halves rightly sent off. So unlike the majority of last season when a lot of bad things seemed to conspire against us we had actually been thrown a lifeline.
At half time we told the players that we needed to make the pitch really big by taking up wide positions so we could utilise our extra man. We also told the players they needed to be patient and not get anxious if we did not score early. We needed to wear them down and be disciplined as I felt Barwell would resort to frustrating us to disrupt our rhythm.
We got off to the best possible start virtually from the kick-off when Jack Morrell thundered a thirty yard shot in to the net. This allowed us to relax and I felt we took control of the game. However we knew we had to be on our guard because Barwell continued to operate with two strikers and looked dangerous on the counter.
Our patience paid off when Finley Wilkinson popped up with a last minute winner. While I enjoyed the victory there remains a lot of hard work to be done and we will not get carried away.
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
I would like to thank Biggleswade Town for hosting us on Tuesday. It was a very useful exercise which allowed me to give important match minutes to Saturday’s substitutes as well as Johnny Allottey who only played for an hour on Saturday. Toby Syme returned after missing Saturday’s game while Tiernan Parker played the whole game. I was also able to look at some triallists and introduced some more players from our successful academy. Another benefit of this game was seeing Josh Coldicott-Stevens play his first football for many weeks since his foot operation while Sam Meakes scored his first goal for Hitchin which will boost his confidence.
The first team trained at Baldock where we also analysed the video of the Barwell game as we seek to further improve our performances.
RUSHALL OLYMPIC
We entertain Rushall Olympic at Top Field in our first home league game on Saturday. Despite their 3-0 loss to Coaville on Saturday I know they will provide a difficult challenge. I consider Coalville to be the favourites to win the league so Rushall could not have had a tougher start and they will be keen to bounce back.
We will need to work really hard, be difficult to beat and remain disciplined.
I am looking forward to seeing a good attendance at Top Field on Saturday. Crowds were exceptional last season and the players really appreciated the support which really added to the atmosphere.
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS
We have a very poor record at Rushden and we are determined to improve on that on Tuesday. Hopefully we will gain confidence from Saturday’s performance to take in to this game. But as I said last week every game will be very competitive.
MARK BURKE
PLAYER NEWS
- Josh Coldicott-Stevens and Toby Syme will be added to the squad that played at Barwell for the game with Rushall Olympic. Callum Kane is injured and not in the squad.
THE RETURN TO TOP FIELD
On Saturday we play our first home league game at Top Field. It has been great to see attendances increasing and there is no doubt the transformation of Top Field has improved the match day experience. We will continue to try and keep improving the facilities and our stewards will be doing all they can to ensure supporters enjoy their visit.
For Saturday’s game with Rushall Olympic we know it will be a hot day so we have booked an ice cream van to help everyone cool down, while Canary Kitchen will have an extra drinks unit selling purely hot and cold drinks on the other side of the ground next to the ice cream van. Also Canary Club will be open through the day with very competitive prices to help you quench your thirst.
So please come along and enjoy the Top Field experience and it is particularly pleasing to see family groups in attendance.
TRIBUTE TO TOMMY EVERITT AND FRANK KING
There will be a minute’s applause before the game with Rushall Olmpic in memory of Tommy Everitt and Frank King who passed away recently. Representatives of both families will be in attendance.
MERCHANDISE NEWS BY PAUL SPRAGUE
For the new season we have plenty of new merchandise items available in the Club Shop and online so make sure you pop in. New items include:
Adult Home Shirts £40
Junior Home Shirts £32
Adult Away Shirts (still awaiting delivery of 3XL and 2XL) £40
Junior Away Shirts (still awaiting delivery of the two smallest sizes) £32
Junior Purple Hoodies £30
Purple Polo Shirts £19
Drawstring Bags £8
Black Baseball Caps £12
We also have scarves, beanies, bobble hats, mugs and many other items.
Also call in on match days for your match day programme, chocolate bars and Pick and Mix.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Tuesday 9th August we had 4 players involved in the first team game against Biggleswade Town FC. This again shows the clear pathway from the youth team to the first team and again proves the strength of the players we have in our academy.
Also on Tuesday 9th August Callum Kane was invited in for a trial match for Championship club Stoke City. Callum played really well in the game and scored a goal. It was a great experience for Callum who we look forward to seeing develop even further this season.
FA YOUTH CUP
This Wednesday 17th August kick-off 7.45pm we play Godmanchester at Top Field in the extra preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup. Tickets can be purchased online and for this game we will accept payment at the gate. Prices are adults £4, concessions £2, teenagers and children U13 £1, over 80s FREE. Please come and support our academy players.
BY ROY IZZARD