WEEKLY BULLETIN – 13TH OCTOBER

FIXTURES

• Saturday 14th October Home to Coalville League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online.
• There is no midweek game for the first team.

FA YOUTH CUP
Wednesday 18th October Home to Bury Town kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets can be bought online or you can pay by cash or card on the night.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

STAMFORD

Unfortunately, we exited the FA Trophy last week when we lost 3-2 at home to Stamford. The difference between the 2 teams was they were more clinical than we were in the final third of the pitch.

I felt the first half was an even affair in possession and chances created. However, we were punished when Stamford had their opportunities and we didn’t execute ours when they arose. We saw ourselves facing a battle coming out for the second half 3-1 down.

Credit to the players, I felt we came out and thoroughly dominated the second half and gave ourselves a chance when we scored with over 30 minutes to play.

We continued to get into good positions but just could not find that elusive equaliser, which saw Stamford progress to the next round.

COALVILLE

Coalville have had a steady start to the season, and we know they are a very attacking side, possessing numerous dangerous players that can score goals. They are joint leading goal scorers in the League, and we are going to have to be very alert to their threat.

I am expecting a very intense match played at a high tempo as has been the case in pretty much all our previous meetings with Coalville which normally means it will be an entertaining match.

I would like to thank you all for your support over the past 6 weeks that has seen us play an unprecedented 9 home games and you have been with us all the way turning out match after match.

I hope you all enjoy the game on Saturday and we can reward you with a positive result.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

• Good news concerning Diogo Freitas-Gouveia as his injury is not as bad as first feared. He has started his recovery programme and we hope he could return for the new year.

HOME AGAIN
Saturday’s game with Coalville will be the last of our seven consecutive Saturday home games. This is quite unprecedented and I am certain has never happened before. It has obviously put a strain on our volunteers including the ground staff as they have not had a break for seven weeks and this must put a strain on family matters.

We must also thank our loyal supporters who have had to dig deep financially with the glut of home games and yet have still turned up in good numbers. We are pleased we were able to have one pay what you want game to ease the financial strain but with the cost of living crisis we really appreciate your great support in difficult times.

COUNTY CUPS
We will have to travel to St Albans in both the Herts Senior Cup and the Herts Charity Cup. On Tuesday St Albans beat Hemel Hempstead on penalties in the quarter final of the Herts Charity Cup.

No dates have yet been set for these games.

FIXTURE CHANGE
As both clubs are now out of the FA Trophy, our league game with AFC Stamford has been moved from Monday 23rd October to Saturday 28th October. This should ensure a larger attendance.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 18th October we play Bury Town at Top Field in the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup. If we are successful we will be in the first round proper when league clubs enter so if you are able to come and support our boys it will be much appreciated.

OPEN TRAINING SESSIONS
GIRLS
On Monday 23rd October we have our first girls open training session at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch between 11:30am – 2pm.

BOYS
On Friday 27th October we have our boys open training session at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch between 11:30am – 2pm.

To register your interest for either the Girls or Boys and for further information please use this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

LUTON TOWN UNDER 21’s AT TOP FIELD
On Tuesday 17th October we host Luton Town Under 21’s who play Northampton Under 21’s at Top Field. The kick-off is 1.00pm and tickets can be bought online or you can pay by cash or card at the gate.

COACH TICKETS
Coach tickets for our visit to Bromsgrove on Saturday 21st October can be purchased online from Friday evening onwards.

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY

RESULTS

BHWFL
HTWFC Canaries 0 – 4 Real Bedford Ladies Development

Hitchin Town Women FC Firsts are away to Buntingford Women in the Herts Women’s Challenge Trophy on Sunday 15th October. They play at The Bury, London Road, Buntingford, SG9 9HZ

The game has a 14:00 kick off.

We are also looking for new sponsors for the women’s set up. We are looking for sponsorship for training kits and tracksuits. If this is something you are interested in please get in touch with Callum on HTLFC.ClubSecretary@gmail.com.

BY ROY IZZARD