WEEKLY BULLETIN – 14TH JULY
FIXTURES
- Saturday 15th July No game
- Tuesday 18th July away to Stotfold Friendly kick-off 7.30pm.
- Thursday 20th July the away game with Barton Rovers has been cancelled.
- The league fixtures were released today and are on all our social media outlets.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
LUTON TOWN
I would like to thank Luton for sending a team to Top Field last Saturday. It was good to see chairman David Wilkinson and club legends Mick Harford, Brian Stein, Mark Stein and Andrew Fotiadis in attendance.
Luton started the game brightly and controlled the first 15 minutes while we found our feet. This was to be expected and we grew in to the game which I thoroughly enjoyed. Luton scored before half time to take a lead in to the break but we had the perfect start to the second half when Finley Wilkinson equalised. It was in the first minute and was well taken and deserved.
We then created a number of chances that we did not take but that will come as we reach full sharpness. There was plenty of good football from both sides in front of a large crowd and my only disappointment was conceding a late goal which won the game for Luton.
STEVENAGE
I feel that I need to apologise to supporters after Tuesday’s game with Stevenage. It is because the sending-off of Stan Georgiou in the 35th minute changed our whole approach to the game. We had played really well up to that point and it was a competitive game. But when Stevenage scored the resultant penalty to go 2-0 up I had to abandon my pre-match tactics and plans. As far as the foul was concerned if it was reckless and would warrant a red card in a league game I would have no complaints. But in a pre-season friendly I would have hoped the referee would ask me to take the player off and replace him. The Stevenage manager wanted this to happen as he wanted to play against eleven men and it would have been of benefit to the crowd of over 1,000 people who had paid good money to be entertained. I had to protect our team and pre-season preparations by resorting to tactics that were not pleasing to the eye but effective in not being taken apart. Down to ten men we had to resort to game management and were unable to bring the subs on as planned. It became a fitness session and damage limitation against an impressive Stevenage.
I will take positives from the game as we were very well organised and difficult to break down. But if more common sense had been applied the supporters would have seen a better game.
LEIGHTON TOWN
I was pleased with our performance until we conceded a controversial penalty that was converted. This lifted Leighton’s confidence and put us on the back foot and we struggled up to half time.
In the second half we introduced our development squad and despite conceding an early goal I thought they acquitted themselves very well. There were a number of positive performances.
SATURDAY
There is no game on Saturday and this was always planned after three games in six days as I felt the players would need a break. They will train instead.
STOTFOLD
We travel to near neighbours Stotfold on Tuesday for a 7.30pm kick-off. Stotfold have signed a number of good players in the close season and will present a difficult challenge. All our efforts are on being ready for the first league game.
DAN WEBB
Looking ahead to next Saturday and the visit of Arsenal Under 18’s for Dan Webb’s testimonial I would urge as many supporters as possible to attend. Dan was a very loyal club man and an excellent captain. He was also a very good central defender and a great role model for other players to follow. He was very popular with supporters and he deserves a really good turn out for his special game. The Arsenal team will be managed by Hitchin born Jack Wilshere. I can say that there will be some surprise guest players on the day but we will not announce their names in advance—you must turn up to see for yourselves.
To buy your match ticket please follow this link Hitchin Town v Arsenal U18 | Pre-season Matches | Hitchin Town Tickets (ktckts.com)
There will be a sportsman’s dinner in Canary Club with John Hartson the guest speaker in aid of Dan’s testimonial. Tickets are on sale –please use the following link An Evening With John Hartson | Hitchin Town FC | Hitchin Town Tickets (ktckts.com)
Please also see attached details of how you can make a donation to Dan.
You can read Roy’s interview with Dan on our social media outlets.
MARK BURKE
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
We would like to welcome former Canary Shane Hill (son of Ricky) to the management team of our development squad. He will assist Jason Valentine and Marc Campbell. Jason has been promoted to lead coach replacing Andy Zeller who has taken a position with AFC Dunstable’s first team. We would like to thank Andy for his work over the last year and wish him well in the future.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
Thursday 13th July we were lucky enough to have 6 academy players represent Hitchin Town in the friendly game against Leighton Town.
We would like to congratulate Henry Silver, James Campbell, Govind Bains, Jack Trickett, Chris Khoo and Frankie Webster who all gave a good account of themselves against tough step 4 opposition.
We hope they will get some more minutes as pre season progresses and hopefully they will impress enough to sign league registration forms.
If you want to find out more information about the academy or to register your interest please use this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates
KIND DONATION
We received a very kind donation of £100 from two long standing supporters David Binks and David Philpott. During the close season these gentlemen put aside the money they would have spent on 50/50 had there been a game and donated this to the club at the Stevenage game. They wanted to help contribute to the club’s maintenance expenditure and have kindly asked their donation to go towards the costs o the disabled area which now has a much brighter blue external concrete paint and a new banner detailing the area. It was good to see four supporters in wheelchairs using this area on Tuesday which is covered and safe. So many thanks to the two Davids.
NEW CHAPLAIN
We will announce a new chaplain for the club over the weekend. Please look at our social media outlets.
BY ROY IZZARD