WEEKLY BULLETIN – 12TH OCTOBER

FIXTURES

• Saturday 15th October Home to Hednesford League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online.
• There is no midweek game.
• The Herts Senior Cup game with Potters Bar has been rearranged for Saturday 29th October kick-off 3.00pm. This replaces the Redditch fixture as they will be playing in the FA Trophy on that date.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

REDDITCH/LEISTON

Last weekend saw us face two very good teams in Redditch and Leiston both of whom occupy play-off positions. We started both games very well and were on the front foot particularly against Redditch where we created a number of opportunities but unfortunately our finishing let us down. Redditch then punished us from their first meaningful attack to take the lead.

We were still competitive after this setback but then suffered the hammer blow of conceding just before half time. I was disappointed with the match officials for missing a clear and obvious foul on Charlie Horlock at the corner which led to the goal. This left us a very difficult task to get back in the game although we did squander a great chance to make it 2-1. We were then further punished with a third goal that sealed our fate.. Redditch then managed the game very frustratingly but very well as they slowed the game down.

I was pleased with the way the players reacted to the Redditch defeat with as good first half performance against Leiston on Monday. The game was a very fast and frantic affair with both teams creating chances and this continued in the second half. Leiston took the lead with a very well taken goal but we responded well and Finley Wilkinson was unfortunate not to score when his excellent strike hit the woodwork.

The game was still finely balanced until a bad mistake gifted Leiston a second goal. From then on the confidence visibly drained from our players and a third goal was the icing on the cake for Leiston.

HEDNESFORD

Despite being at the bottom of the league table I know we will be in for a difficult game against Hednesford. Their newly appointed manager Steve Burr has a vast amount of experience and has already recruited well which has seen them beat Rushden 5-0 and Rushall 4-3 in the FA Trophy. We need to pick ourselves up and find a performance that will gain us a positive result. I know it has been a difficult period but I urge the supporters to keep getting behind the team and the players are determined to turn things around.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

• We are pleased to announce that Cieran Jones has come back to us on a month’s loan from Brackley and will be available to play against Hednesford.
• Unfortunately Jack Morrell has broken down in training and now faces an operation.
• Kye Tearle did not suffer any broken bones on Monday but he has heavy bruising and will miss the Hednesford game.
• George Devine is now back in full time training.
• Aaron Pike is now injury free and will be dual signing with Newport Pagnell to get match fitness.

MERCHANDISE
Please come and visit the club shop at the Hednesford game. There is a large collection of club merchandise as well as a wide selection of old programmes and football books, sweets, chocolates, team sheets and the match day programme. If you cannot get to a game then please visit the online club shop.

FA YOUTH CUP
Our youngsters suffered a 5-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield on Thursday in the FA Youth Cup. Pipeman was at the game and this was his report—

HITCHIN TOWN 0 CHESTERFIELD 5 FA YOUTH CUP 3QR
After a pleasingly positive start, the young Canaries were eventually overwhelmed by a slick Spireites team and but for some excellent saves from Tyrese Kamala, Hitchin might have lost by a heavier margin.

It took the visitors just ten minutes to score, capitalising on defensive indecision in the penalty box, with Luke Mitchell scoring with some emphasis. Hitchin did try to make amends and there were two shots from Uko Oji that were fierce and wide. Mitchell came close again for Chesterfield, as did Duhameau. The second goal came from a corner, affording a free header for Jack Allerton after twenty seven minutes. Mitchell could have added another a minute later but he fired wide.

The Spireites forced a further two successive corners and from the second Sam Hooper headed past Kamala, in a goal that replicated the second. Mitchell’s next effort struck the far post and a shot from Tavares drew a good save from Kamara.

Half-time Hitchin 0 Chesterfield 3

The second half exposed the visitors’ greater strength and mobility, and they added two further goals, and as well as that they restricted Hitchin to their own half, denying any chances on goal for a consolation.

After just two minutes a fourth goal was scored when Hooper’s low shot trickled in and really ought to have been defended.

Substitutes were employed by both teams and chesterfield continued to dominate, with Duhameau adding a fifth and final goal with ten minutes to go, and he could well have added a sixth with minutes to go, but it brought another fine save from Kamara.

Thus ends the fine run in the FA Youth cup and we congratulate Chesterfield on their fine win and wish them success in the next round.

HITCHIN TOWN
Tyrese Kamara, Hanson Hughes-Graham, (Asher Banton), Harry Dollimore, Oluwaseni Akinola, Chama Torsiello, Shaun Senkubuge, Jonas Nkomba, (Caleb Wright), Uko Oji, (Archie Collins, cautioned), Torin Ntege, Taylor Franklin, captain, Harrison Brown. Substitutes not used- Melison Sykaj, Vernon Yao, Tobias Ciepiela, Ace Barker.

CHESTERFIELD
Addison Arthur-Bliss, Max Cook, Archie White, Michael Chidiedere- Okochi, (Jerome Bedeau), Jack Allerton, GOAL, 27 MINUTES, (Harley Butcher-Simpson), Ethan Booker, Fernando Tavares, Sam Hooper, TWO GOALS, 30 AND 47 MINUTES, Alex Duhameau, GOAL, 80 MINUTES, Luke Mitchell, GOAL, 10 MINUTES, Fallet Bamba, (Ellis Perry-Burkett). Substitutes not used- Jack Heald, Tom Wallace, Bailey Morgan, Ethan Wilkinson.

Referee- Mr D Statham assisted by Mr T Evans and Mr B Compton.

Attendance 122

REPORT BY PIPEMAN

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 12th October our development team played away to F2 Academy looking to make it two wins in two games.

They dominated the game in the first half but were unable to take one of the many chances created. Second half continued in a similar format but the chances were taken and this resulted in a 4-0 win.

This means the development team are top of the league with two wins from two and no goals conceded.

On Thursday 13th our FA Youth Cup run came to an end. A great journey with some unbelievable performances, goals and moments.

We now focus on two home league games next week.

HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS
Hitchin Town Women were in league cup action last Sunday.

The Firsts were at home to Wormley and lost 4-1. The Canaries were away at EB Lions where they were knocked out of the league cup after losing 5-2. A weekend to forget for both teams.

One fixture this weekend, that being in the Herts Challenge Cup where the Firsts host Bedwell Ladies at Ickleford, 14:00 kick off.

BY ROY IZZARD