WEEKLY BULLETIN – 15TH OCT

FIXTURES

• Saturday 16th October Home to Needham Market League Kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased from our website.
• Tuesday 19th October Away to St Ives League kick-off 7.45pm. There is no coach for this game.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

HEDNESFORD

We travelled to Hednesford and gave a really good account of ourselves. We weathered the opening 15 minutes and grew in to the game. We scored an excellent opening goal and then it was nip and tuck until half time but we deserved the lead. However disaster struck in the first minute of the second half when we were punished for poor defending and Hednesford equalised.

It was another end to end game and we took the lead with another well worked goal. We then had a great chance to extend the lead but the shot hit the foot of the post. Then an incorrect linesman’s decision saw Hednesford awarded a corner when it should have been a goal kick and this led to the equaliser. This decision sums up our season so far with us not getting the rub of the green. We defended well from this point and could have snatched a winner but I would have taken a point before the game.

COALVILLE

On Monday I thought we played the best team we have met this season.. They came having only lost one game in the league and lying second in the table. I was pleased with the way we started the game but two quality finishes from Coalville in a five minute spell really rocked us. Our players did well to compose themselves and dig in and they fought all the way. In the second half we took the game to Coalville and came close to a goal. With their keeper making one excellent save.

But sometimes you have to say that on the day you were beaten by a better side and this was the case on Monday. I am certain Coalville will at least make the play-offs.

NEEDHAM MARKET AND ST IVES

Sitting in a relegation position is never nice and we now have two very important games against teams who are also struggling. The league this season is very tight and any team can beat any other team so the games will not be easy. We need to draw on the Hednesford performance and go for 3 points in both games.

It was great to see such a good crowd on Monday and the players really appreciate your continued support. Please stay behind the team in this difficult period and the players will be giving everything to turn things around.

PLAYER NEWS

• Dan Akubuine has recovered from injury and returns to the squad for Needham Market.
• Sam Okeye-Aheneku will not be available for Needham Market.
• Urijah Gordon-Douglas has joined St Ives.
• 18-year-old Matthew Moloney has joined from Luton Town on work experience forms and will be in the Needham Market squad.

TICKET/MERCHANDISE NEWS
Tickets for the upcoming games with Leiston and Stratford went on sale on Friday together with coach tickets for the rearranged game with Tamworth. Tickets for the pay what you want Generation Cup tournament are also now available on the website.

The new range of black polo shirts are now on sale in the club shop and there is a wide selection of other clothing and merchandise to choose from. Please pay a visit to the club shop to see what is available.

THE GENERATION CUP
Plans for the Generation Cup continue to progress. We play Crystal Palace and Maidenhead on Sunday 31st October (details in last week’s bulletin). It has been confirmed that Crystal Palace legend Mark Bright (91 goals in 227 games) is organising their squad which will include Andy Johnson (74 goals in 140 games).

Mark Burke is busy formulating the Hitchin squad and also making it a reunion day. We are looking to invite as many former players to either play or attend as possible. If you are interested please email Mark at info@htcfc.co.ok

The following former players are so far confirmed for the day. Looking to play are the following—

• Jon Bone
• Ian Scott
• Steve Conroy
• Adam Parker
• Bill Baldry
• Darren Bonfield
• Stuart Brown
• Tim Allpress
• Zema Abbey
• Marvin Bates
• Rudi Hall
• Carl Williams

Confined to spectating are the following:

• Shaun Marshall
• Peter Gleasure
• Paul Giggle
• Mark Burke
• Alan Cosby

Other ex Canaries will be announced as we get confirmation of their attendance.

LUTON TOWN UNDER 23’S AT TOP FIELD
The game at Top Field On Tuesday saw Bournemouth Under 23’s beat Luton Under 23’s 2-0. Among the crowd was ex Luton manager David Pleat who is involved with Tottenham Hotspur.

ACADEMY UPDATE
On Wednesday 13th October we travelled to Enfield Town FC in the cup. Unfortunately, we lost the game 3-1. We played some good football without really creating much and we were caught on the counter attack resulting in goals. Second half we were not at the races and fully deserved to lose this game. It was a great learning game for all involved and also allowed us to play some players who had been lacking minutes on the pitch in recent weeks. We look forward to playing Enfield twice in the league.

Goal: Marlow Gough
Man of the Match: Stanley Georgiou

Next week we travel to Bishop Stortford hoping to keep up our 100% record in the league and make it four wins from four.

In our SCL development league we travelled to Crawley Town where despite creating lots of chances in the first half we only held a 1-0 lead at the break. In the second half Crawley pressured us throughout but we defended really well and limited them to few chances. However in the 90th minute a mistake at the back allowed Crawley to steal a point!!

Goal: Matthew Morton
Man of the Match: Vernon Yao

We are now starting recruitment for the 22/23 season. Our first open training session is Monday 25th October 2021 at Baldock Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch. 1pm – 3pm.

To book your place or for further information please use this link: https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY

Both teams in league action this week, the XIs were at home to Langford Ladies FV and this is what manager Richard had to say.

‘We started brightly with Clarke having a shot from the right wing tipped onto the crossbar by the Langford keeper. Langford’s first attack struck the side netting which was a warning sign for Hitchin.
11 mins and Elliott had a clash of knees with a Langford player resulting in the game pausing for at least half hour and an ambulance being called for Elliott. Due to the long wait for an ambulance, Clarke took Elliott to hospital. All the best goes to Elliot and hope she recovers soon. A massive thankyou to the Langford goalkeeper who is a paramedic for all her help with Elliot.

Within minutes a great cross from Smith to the back post saw Higgs head home.
1-0 Hitchin. Langford started attacking, winning several corners and hitting the side netting. We managed to keep a clean sheet until half time.

Start of the second half and a mix up between Moore and Reinsford at the back and the Langford player nipped in to tuck the ball into the net. 1-1. Langford were gaining confidence and a long range shot found the net and Langford went ahead.
Hitchin re gained their composure and a long throw from Darling saw a flick on from Coughlin-Flood being tipped over the bar by the Langford goalie. Hitchin started pressing higher up the pitch and a corner taken by Day saw Coughlan-Flood leap Into the air like a gazelle to head the ball into the net.

By this time Hitchin had no subs left and several players playing with knocks and injuries but the determination by every single player to carry on was incredible. Hitchin won another corner and yet again in the dying minutes and Day crossed the ball right into the danger zone. A nice little bit of pinball and Higgs stuck her leg out to poke the ball into the net. 3-2 Hitchin with minutes to go…

Today’s team morale and team spirit were incredible and makes the future look very exciting. Player of the match was Holly Darling with a brilliant inspiring performance.’

The Canaries completed the long trip to BSC FC and this is what coach Callum had to say.

‘Sunday 10th October 2021, brought us the game between the Canaries and Bishop Stortford Community FC Ladies. After some midweek frantic emails to all sorts of people, BSC FC were able to host the Canaries at a later kick off time then usual. Canaries welcomed Foo to this seasons fixtures and two previous HTWFC XI players being Amies and Wilson. The game got under way and it was the Canaries on the early press, Nemeth cleared her line which managed to find a way through the BSC FC defence to Allen who opened the scoring within the seventeenth minute. Allen doubled the Canaries lead shortly afterwards with an assist from Mercer flicking it over the oncoming BSC FC defence. Many opportunities were wasted by the Canaries as they settled into their rhythm with Rufaioglu being the commander of the Canaries back line. Rose and Amies kept BSC FC at bay and Schofield giving the young BSC FC players a taster of adult football. BSC FC got a goal back after beating the offside trap to try and bring themselves back into it. D’Isola made way for Wilson and Rose was replaced by Foo due to the previous weekend’s injuries making an appearance. Colyer sent a ball across the BSC defence and it was Edwards who tucked it away and the whistle went for half time.

Second half got underway with some fresh legs being introduced, Carter replaced Wilson with Lewis switching to the left wing. Allen managed to pinch a loose ball from BSC FC and after some confusion between the BSC FC keeper and defence, Allen poked the loose ball into an empty net. It was the assist queen again Colyer playing Allen through a gap of the BSC FC defence again for her to poke it past the oncoming keeper. Colyer and Allen were at it again when another defensive error put Allen through on goal and Allen dinked it over the keeper. Play resumed again and it was Edwards who received the ball who touched it down and laid it off for a wild strike by Allen who beat the keeper for her fifth of the game. Mercer coming back from COVID-19 this weekend was given the ball from Wilson just on the inside of the 18 yard box who sent it smashing off of the post and into the net leaving BSC FC stunned. The final whistle went and it was the Canaries who took the three points that was up for the taking today. A complete team performance by everyone today sets the bar for the oncoming County Cup fixture. Rugaioglu walked away with Manager’s player of the game however the Player’s player of the game was given to the entire team for their own performance.’

Sunday 17th October 2021 fixtures are:
Women’s Challenge Cup
14:00 – HTWFC v Garston Ladies U18 Leopards
Bury Rangers First v HTWFC Canaries

Keep up to date on our Twitter with all the live scores @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