WEEKLY BULLETIN: 17TH APRIL
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 18 April vs Northwood (A) – Southern League
On Saturday 18th April we travel to Northwood for our penultimate away game in the league kick-off 3.00pm.. Northwood have already had their relegation confirmed having won just 5 of their 40 games and their current form is 1 win in 6 games. Their average attendance is 138.
There is no advanced ticketing and you pay at the turnstiles, cash or card. Admission prices are £11 for adults, £6 for concessions but FREE for any Under-16s.
Printed programmes will be available at £2.00.
Wednesday 22 April vs London Lions (A) – Southern League
On Wednesday 22nd April we make another visit to London Lions this time the replay of our abandoned game on 6th December when we were winning 2-0. We lost our appeal to the FA to overturn the Southern League’s decision to have the game replayed so we will not feel sorry for ourselves but go out and put in a professional performance. As Michael says in his manager’s notes whatever views are held we need to focus on getting behind the players in the run up to the play-offs so let us get a big following on Wednesday. The game is being played on cup tie terms so we will get half of the receipts. Admission prices are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
London Lions are safe from relegation and are 18th in the table with 13 wins from their 40 games and their current form is I win from their last 6 games. They are bottom of the attendance league table with an average of 79.
Manager’s Notes
Leighton Town Crowned Champions
First of all I would like to congratulate everyone at Leighton Town Football Club and especially their manager Paul Reed.
Since Paul has joined the club he has built a very strong squad which finished last season really strong and they have used that momentum to push on this season. They have been the most consistent team throughout the league and they were rightly/deservedly crowned champions on Saturday.
We tried to push them all the way but we were unable to match their consistency which has meant they will reach 100 points and be worthy winners of this division.
I wish them all the best for their new venture at Step 3 and I hope we will be joining them in a few weeks.
Win Over MK Irish
Saturday we hosted MK Irish looking to build on our two wins and two clean sheets from the bank holiday weekend.
We started the game on the front foot as we looked to force MK Irish back and look to create openings/areas we could exploit. We were unable to unlock a very hard working/organised team and the best chances of the half fell to the visitors where a shot straight at the keeper and one off target from former canary Ryan Smith should have been converted as well as two headed opportunities that missed the target. We kept pushing for an opener and with the last kick of the half an excellent cross found Taylor Rhiney 4 yards out with an open goal and somehow he managed to get his header all wrong to miss the target.
Half Time we needed the players to play at a higher tempo once we had beaten the press and look to have more shots when we got into good positions. We had a few ideas on how we could open up a very hard working team and then it would just be down to the quality of the individual in the key moment.
Second half and we started better and looked like we had more energy in attacking situations but the best chance fell to MK Irish when a shot hit the post. We looked more threatening this half and after some good play Josh Jackman was fouled in the box for a penalty. Taylor Rhiney converted the pen and from this point on we were able to contain MK Irish who lost confidence after a very strong 60 minutes. In the next 10 minutes we were able to add two more goals, the first from substitute George Morrall. I am really pleased for George, he has had a difficult season with injuries but I am hoping he is now in a position to come on strong in the final stretch and Charlie Briggs continued his goal scoring form with another goal from a set play.
A really good win against a strong side. We were nowhere near our best but still managed to get the win and a clean sheet.
Herts Senior Cup Glory
Tuesday we played Bishops Stortford in the Herts Senior Cup Final. This was a great occasion for the club to have an opportunity to win something after a few disappointing seasons. This cup presented an opportunity this season to rotate the squad, rest players, give others minutes and bed in some academy players. The players that had played in the 4 previous cup games had done an excellent job to get us to this position.
This game would be no different and it was great to be able to play the players who had got us to the final.
We knew it would be really difficult to win the cup as we were playing an established Step 3 team, who have had a strong season.
Bishops Stortford started fast and it took us time to get used to the changes and find our way into the game. We then started to get our foot on the ball and control the game without really looking threatening. Bishops Stortford grew back into the game and in a 10 minute spell they forced Tyler into a very good save and were able to put us under pressure with some corners and long range shots which weren’t able to hit the target.
Half Time and not much to report but I was really happy with the way the players had approached the game, they had worked extremely hard and played our usual game by being confident in possession. We needed to have more conviction in attacking situations as we knew these would be limited against strong opposition.
Second half and for the first 20 minutes we were not able to get our foot on the ball as much as we would have liked and Bishops Stortford put us under a lot of pressure. They looked threatening but they were not able to force Tyler into any saves. We stood up firm and defended well as a collective. We then started to grow into the game and we were able to put our own pressure on with the best chance falling to Josh Jackman with his shot going over the bar.
It was now getting late in a game that did not have much action with two teams cancelling each other out. Penalties were now the focus and late on decisions were made by the coaching staff to bring Josh Coldicott – Stevens and Diogo Freitas Gouveia onto the pitch.
So we finished with a 0-0 and entered the lottery of the penalty shootout. I always felt we were under pressure in the penalty shootout as we went second and the Bishops Stortford penalties were all at an extremely high standard. Credit to our 10 outfielders, we matched their penalty success and after 5 each it was now getting to the players who did not want to take one. We got all the way to the 10th pen, when Tyler McGregor produced an excellent save to give us the chance to win the game. Nervous Blue Joy stepped up and he calmly put the ball into the back of the net to send the Hitchin supporters into unbelievable celebrations.
It was a great night for our club, volunteers and supporters that have endured some terrible seasons and results recently and it was great to be able to celebrate some success together as a community. It was also great for the players to be able to taste some success as this season these players have been excellent and it was brilliant for their efforts to be rewarded.
We now need to focus on our remaining games and make sure we are experiencing some more success in a few weeks time.
Thank you to everyone who made the effort to turn up and get behind the group. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
Northwood Trip
We will travel to Northwood on Saturday. Northwood have already been relegated from the division so have nothing to play for but I am sure their manager will want them to finish their home season off with a win.
We only drew with Northwood at home, thanks to a very late goal. This shows how difficult any game is in this division, especially if you do not approach it in the correct way.
We will be looking to get the required points to make sure we secure second place and home advantage In the playoffs.
These remaining 3 games also present an opportunity for all players to make their way into the play off starting team/squad as the plan is to use everyone between now and the end of the season.
Replay of Trip to London Lions
Wednesday we travel to London Lions in our final away game of the season.
I know everyone will have their views on this fixture as do I but for now we need to park these views and focus on getting behind the group of players as we prepare for the playoffs.
London Lions are very good at home and this will present another difficult challenge for us to face.
This game is a week before the play off semi final and we need to make sure we are at the level required to win the game.
Player News
- Josh Bowler is out for the rest of the season.
- Will McNeill has damaged his MCL and will be out for the rest of the season.
- Callum Nicolson will be rested this weekend before the London Lions game.
- Lewis Franklin will be rested again this weekend before the London Lions game.
- Brett Longden picked up a knock against MK Irish and will not be available this weekend.
- Josh Jackman has been given the weekend off and will return for the London Lions game.
Academy Update
Blue Joy scored the winning penalty in the Herts Senior Cup Final on Tuesday. It’s been a great first full season in senior football for Blue and it was a great moment for him on Tuesday.
We had Will McNeill who was instrumental in helping us get to the final but unfortunately got injured on Saturday and had to miss the game but was able to join in with the celebrations.
We also had Elliott Phillips who scored the winning goal in the Semi – Final but unfortunately he was away for the final.
These 3 current Academy players have contributed superbly to the Cup success and should be really proud of their achievements.
If you would like to be part of the academy or for further information please use this link
Or email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk
Michael Jones
Ticket Sales for Play-Off Semi-Final (Wednesday 29 April)
Now that we are aware that we have home advantage in the semi-finals of the play-offs, I am starting preparation for the ticket sales for the game.
We cannot release tickets for sale at this stage – we do not know our opponents and we have to ensure that they are given equal opportunity of access to tickets when they go on general sale.
There will be a very large crowd for sure. Our message to everyone is: If you want to be guaranteed to obtain a ticket for the game, please buy on line in advance.
Please be aware that season tickets and any other concession passes will not be valid for this game. As with any cup games, it is all pay for this game.
Please remember also that Child Under 13 tickets (maximum of 3 per adult) can only be bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. They cannot be bought in isolation)
Our plan is that tickets will go on sale to:
- Season ticket holders and Sponsors at 10:00 on Sunday 26th April.
- General sale at midday on Monday 27th April.
At this stage, we intend to open the match day ticket office window from 18:00 on the night of the game to sell any remaining tickets – card payment only. It is stressed again – waiting for this option does not guarantee that you will obtain a ticket. The Club reserves the right to close the match day ticket office at any time if capacity is reached or there are any safety concerns due to overcrowding.
So as soon as they are released – don’t delay, buy your tickets on line when they go on sale. Do not rely on tickets being available on the evening.
More information will follow as it becomes available,
Chris Newbold
Interview with Ciaren Jones
I spoke with club captain Ciaren Jones after our Herts Senior Cup victory. He gives an interesting insight into the penalty shoot out.
You can read the interview here.
Gregg Cup
On Saturday 18th April we are once again hosting the Gregg Cup Final at Top Field. We are delighted to once again be supporting the Herts Senior County League with this historic competition. This year sees AFC Turnford playing Letchworth Garden City Eagles U23s with a 3pm KO.
If you aren’t heading to Northwood to watch the Hitchin Town men in action then why not head down to Top Field – admission is £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.
Garden Hospice Cup
On Sunday 19th April we are pleased to be hosting a fantastic day of entertainment to raise crucial funds for the Garden House Hospice. For full details see the programme below:
Community Update
Junior Ability Counts
Our Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock on Monday’s begin again on Monday and will run for four more weeks weeks (excluding 4th May Bank Holiday) from 5-6pm.
The sessions are open to 5-16 year olds with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
We will also run our Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock for five more weeks on Wednesday’s from 5.30-6.30pm with former Hitchin Town 1st Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison. The sessions are open to 6-14 year olds
Coaching in Schools
We will be back in our local schools next week delivering coaching sessions in our local schools with sessions taking place at:
Preston Junior: Wraparound Care, Lunch Time Clubs and PPA
Oughton Primary: Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
Icknield Infants: After School Clubs and Morning Clubs
St Mary’s: Morning and After School Clubs, PE Lessons & PPA Cover
Woolgrove: Lunch Time Clubs
Brandles: PE Lessons
Samuel Lucas: After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday (Excluding Thursday)
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Josh Mollison on info@htcfc.co.uk
Mark Burke
Hitchin Town FC Walking Football Team
Former Club Programme Editor and current Talk Sport Commentator Barry Swain is looking for players to join him create a new section within the Football Club.
Walking Football for 45+ years is proving increasingly popular and Barry has organised a free taster session at the Arena in Baldock on Friday 24th April between 7-8pm.
Please see the flyer for more information.
Hitchin Town Women FC Update
Results
Everett Ladies 2 – 3 Hitchin Town Women FC
Bury Rangers 2 – 1 Hitchin Town Women FC
Fixtures This Week
Wootton Blue Cross v Hitchin Town Women FC
Callum Ellis