WEEKLY BULLETIN 17TH JANUARY

FIXTURE

  • Saturday 18th January League Home to Biggleswade Town kick-off 3.00pm. Here is the full preview—-

Michael Jones looks to continue the momentum from Tuesday night with a local derby match at Top Field against Biggleswade Town. In the reverse fixture in November the points were shared at Langford Road with a 1-1 draw. Ciaren Jones was the goalscorer. The last time the Waders visited Top Field was February 2022. Hitchin took the victory with the match finishing 1-0 thanks to a goal from Steve Cawley.

Tickets
For lowest prices and quickest entry into the ground please purchase your tickets online here:

https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets

The online box office remains open until 30 minutes after kick off.

If you do still wish to buy your tickets in person, the matchday ticket office is open from 13.30-15.15 on Saturday and can be accessed from the rear car park (behind the Canary Club). Once you have purchased a ticket at the Matchday Ticket Office you will then need to present your ticket for entry at the Turnstiles on Fishponds Road. More details here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/admission-prices/
Turnstiles open at 14.00

Remember our flexi tickets are also available. This allows you to buy a pack of 5 adult or concession tickets at a discounted rate. You can then login to your Kaizen account and decide which league games you want to use these tickets for. You can use as many as you like per game. Buy yours here:

https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/merchandise/hit2425flexi/flexi-ticket-202425-5-matches

Parking
Unfortunately supporter parking is not available in the club car park (unless you are a registered blue badge holder and have made prior arrangements).

Food and Drink
The Canary Club bar is open from 11.00 with some of the lowest prices in Hitchin! Drinks can be taken into the ground in a reusable plastic cup. (£1 deposit required). You can exit to the bar during the match and will be re-admitted via the side gate by showing your hand-stamp.

Mad Squirrel Brewery will be in attendance serving a great range of craft beers. They will be located adjacent to the main stand.

Canary Kitchen will be open from when the turnstiles open serving a great range of food and soft drinks including our signature HTFC Pies.

Club Shop
Get your matchday programme, teamsheet, chocolate bars, sweets and HTFC merchandise from the club shop.

For full details on the facilities at Top Field see our Matchday Info page here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/matchday-info/

We look forward to welcoming another big crowd and hope everyone has a great afternoon at Top Field.

There is no midweek game.

MANAGER’S NOTES BY MICHAEL JONES

Harborough Town

First of all, I would like to apologise to all our supporters who travelled in sub zero conditions to support the group on Saturday and I am sure you would have all left the ground as disappointed as the group of players and coaching staff.

First half we were not really at the races, despite having a lot of possession and creating a few half chances we never really got going into our usual free flowing, aggressive, front foot play. This allowed Harborough to stamp their authority on the game and they created some good chances. Harborough then took a deserved lead, despite our best efforts to keep the ball out the net.

Half time we explained to the group that we needed to get back into our free-flowing football and play at more of a tempo, we also had to make sure we stamped out their counter attacking threat which was causing us problems.

Second half I felt we were camped in their half for 45 minutes with Harborough having the occasional break out opportunity as we looked to commit more bodies forward into attack. Saturday just was not our day and we just ran out of ideas, quality and creativity when we were in the final 3rd and struggled to get anything meaningful on goal. Credit to Harborough, they have adapted very well since we last played them and on Saturday they were very solid and organised defensively which made it a very difficult task to create clear goal scoring opportunities.

We again can’t fault the effort of the team but we needed to dust ourselves down and start focusing on Tuesday night against Redditch United.

Redditch United

Tuesday I think we all felt every emotion possible during an exciting game. Redditch came to us on a difficult run of form but we knew they would be looking at us as an easy 3 points to kick start their season. I felt we had everything that was missing on Saturday, we started on the front foot, great tempo to our play, loads of energy, attacking intent and plenty of goal scoring opportunities. I felt we caused Redditch a lot of problems and were making it extremely difficult for them to implement their game plan. Redditch did have 1 or 2 half chances but we dealt with these well. The only thing we were missing from a great half of football was a goal.

Half time we emphasised on the positives and told the group to remain confident that we will get the goal. We explained that Redditch would be more organised in the second half and we had to make sure we did not allow them back into the game.

Fair play to Redditch they started the second half more organised and play by play were starting to ease their way back into a game that they had not really been in until this point. Redditch did have a great opportunity to score, like our first chance of the game but Seb pulled off a great save in goal to keep the score level. This kick started us back into action and we took the lead through a Harry Titchmarsh long range effort. We were then back in the full swing of our play and a tired tackle from a Redditch player earned him a second yellow. We then scored our second through Henry Snee with a great finish but the build up play was just as good as it was a 13 pass move to get Snee into the goal scoring position. We then started to utilise the bench and rest some of the players who had given plenty to the game. Redditch scored in the 89th minute and this led to panic stations for the final 5 minutes of added time, where they probably should have snatched an equaliser but Seb managed to pull off another good save to stop the ball going into the back of the net.

At the end of the game we had the feeling of delight because we had won, relief that we had managed to hold on to the win but also the feeling of disappointment that we nearly threw the game away but all in all everyone who attended the game would have seen an excellent Hitchin performance for 89 minutes, a much deserved win and would have left the ground in positive spirits.

We now need to turn our attention to following up this excellent performance with some more points on Saturday.

Biggleswade Town

It will be nice to welcome back former assistant manager Eddie Mac who is now first team coach at Biggleswade Town.

Everyone will be looking at us as favourites going into the weekend’s game in the local derby at home to Biggleswade Town. I can assure you that this fixture is the most difficult we have. Biggleswade find themselves in a similar situation to us where they are at the wrong end of the table and need wins. They have been unlucky in a lot of their fixtures so far this season but have been competitive in all their games. They had an excellent FA Trophy run where they showed the real quality their team has and they will again be looking at this fixture as the one that can be used as the springboard for their relegation battle. I know from last time we played the qualities they possess and that was a very tricky fixture where we came away with a 1-1 draw.

Everyone once again will be building this game up to be more than what it is, which is a game of football that’s worth a maximum of 3 points. These 3 points are no bigger than any other in the league. Is a win against Biggleswade Town worth more than a win against table toppers Kettering Town? We would like to follow up Tuesday’s excellent win with another 3 points on Saturday but if we don’t for whatever reason it will not be season-defining. We need to pick up a certain number of points to maintain our step 3 status, these points don’t have to be against certain teams.

We will be going into this game with the confidence and belief that we can win the match and I am sure Biggleswade will be thinking the same, this should make for another exciting game.

We need to continue the strong support and the great atmosphere at games, this really does help the players.

I look forward to seeing and hearing all your support on Saturday.

Player News

  • Lewis Barker is still recovering from his shoulder injury and won’t be expected to return until March.
  • Bradley Bell has suffered a slight strain and will not be involved this weekend.
  • Solomon Sambou returned to training this week and will be in the squad this weekend.
  • Luke Stokoe is still away on his trial with a professional club.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES

Wednesday, we travelled to MK for a fixture against MK College. We were looking to continue the good performance we had in the previous week which resulted in a 5-0 win away in Cambridge.

We started the game slow and we were very loose/wasteful in possession. We were in control of the game but lacking the energy shown from the previous week. We took the lead half way through the first half thanks to Brynn Forster and followed it up with a second through Carter Fenn. Despite the lead we were disappointed with our showing as we were making extremely hard work of the game and we had kept a hard working MK side in the game.

Second half was more of the same and the game was still as scrappy as the first half. We kept trying to push for a third to kill the game off but this did not come until the last kick of the game when Lewis Krasniqi scored the third and finished the match. A 3-0 win for the young canaries.

We travel to Leon Barnett Academy on Wednesday hoping to build on the 8 goals and 2 clean sheets we have had so far this year but also looking to improve on the below par performance levels from this match.

If you would like to be part of the academy or would like to find out more information on what we offer please register your details using this link – https://extranet.wearescl.co.uk/ToolkitNew/webenrolment.aspx?page=~/webcontrols/courseapply.ascx&OfferingId=85258

JUNIOR CANARIES UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES

Issue 5 will be released on Friday 7th February 2025.

If you wish to sign up as a Junior Canary, please email juniorcanaries@hitchintownfc.club with the following details:

  • Name, Date of birth, Address, School, Club Team (if applicable), Team you support, Parent/Guardian Name, Email, Contact Number.

We look forward to welcoming you all to the Junior Canaries.

EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE

We had 311 at Top Field on Tuesday which was the third highest attendance of the evening in the Central Division. Only Halesowen with 570 and Harborough with 315 had more and Harborough were winning their fifth consecutive game.

Bishops Stortford 233, Lowestoft 248, Royston 247, Spalding 220 and Stratford 255 all attracted lower crowds than Hitchin despite being above us in the table. So thanks again for your loyal support.

HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS

RESULTS

Hertfordshire Womens Sunday Trophy Quarter Final

  • HTWFC 1 – 4 Bury Rangers

Beds and Herts Womens Football League, Division Three

  • Ruislip Rangers P v P HTWFC Canaries

FIXTURES

Sunday 19th January 2025, 14:00

BHWFL, Chris Renshaw Cup

Evergreen Eagles v HTWFC Canaries

South Way Playing Fields, WD5 0JL

We are recruiting! Players, coaches, website developers, content creators we have a role for you! Please get in touch, hello@hitchintownwomenfc.co.uk

QUIZ NIGHT

Please register your teams as soon as possible

COMMUNITY UPDATE BY MARK BURKE

Congratulations Rocca

I would like to congratulate Rocca Lewin-Wren one of our Community Coaches for passing his Level 4 in Sports Community Coaching and receiving his certificate as seen below. Rocca joined our college programme when leaving the Priory school and progressed into our Apprenticeship scheme when he completed his studies at the Arena.

Now employed full-time he coaches in schools (mainly the Grange Academy in Letchworth), at our holiday camps and on our Safe Hands goalkeepers course.

The Arena Football Courses

There are 4 weeks left of our coaching clinics at the Arena and can be booked on via the website https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk

Monday evenings from 5-6pm we host a Junior Ability Counts session for children aged between 7 and 16 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Monday 20th January 2025 – 10th February 2025 (4 weeks) Cost: £20

Wednesday evenings from 5.30-6.30pm we host a specific goalkeeping course called Safe Hands for children of all ages and abilities delivered by former 1st team goalkeeper Josh Mollison.

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 – 12th February 2025 (4 weeks) Cost: £36

February Half Term Holiday Camps

The dates for our February half-term holiday camps are now out as we continue to host them at the Arena and at Preston JMI.

Tuesday to Wednesday 18th – 20th February 2025 (3Days) Cost: £60 p/w or £25 per day

INTERVIEW WITH CIAREN JONES

In case you have not seen the interview I did with Cieran Jones earlier this week on our social media platforms it is reproduced here—

Ciaren Jones is now the captain of Hitchin Town and he is keen to carry on what Charlie Horlock had started by agreeing to be interviewed on a regular basis to keep supporters in touch with what is happening in the dressing room and on the pitch. So I spoke to Ciaren this week to review the season so far and to look ahead to the future.

I started by getting details of Ciaren’s career so far. He was signed up by the Brentford academy when he was eleven and stayed there for eighteen months before being released after an injury lay off. He then joined the Luton academy until he was eighteen. He was due to try his luck in America but in his last game for Luton he was scouted by Norwich. The game was on a Wednesday, he was contacted on the Thursday and had a trial on the Friday. He was signed on a contract for Norwich under 23’s. He played in the Premier League 2 against some top Premier League teams . Ciaren was at Norwich from July 2018 to January 2020. He left for America in February but returned to England as Covid hit the world. Football was on hold due to Covid but when it restarted Ciaren went to Scotland and then Gloucester.

It was Mark Burke who approached Ciaren to come to Hitchin and he played his first game in October 2020. So well did Ciaren play in the 2021/22 season that he won the Manager’s, Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the year awards in a remarkable clean sweep. He joined Brackley in the National League but his chances were hindered by a 6 week injury lay-off. But having got back in the team the manager was sacked and his successor chose not to select Ciaren so he returned to Top Field.

So on to this season and Ciaren is well aware our late reprieve really adversely affected the start to the season. Many of the new signings were from step 4 football and this meant our squad had a real lack of experienced step 3 players which Ciaren felt was needed to help the newcomers. Seven straight league defeats told its own story and confidence obviously took a hit. Even so Ciaren felt we deserved better reward particularly from the games at Telford and at home to Bishops Stortford. Injuries were also a real problem.

Ciaren was ‘’confused’’ to be left out of the squad at Barwell having only found out on the day. He watched a dismal performance from the stand and was recalled as captain in the next game. The relationship with manager Brett Donnelly was becoming strained not knowing what was wanted of him and they had agreed to go their separate way. Ciaren was ready to sign for another club in the Central division but that week Brett was relieved of his duties and replacement Michael Jones immediately contacted Ciaren to change his mind and stay at Hitchin. Michael made Ciaren captain, a role he really wanted and ever since his form has been back to where it used to be and he is enjoying his football again.

Ciaren certainly prefers the Michael Jones style of football which he feels is bringing the best out of the squad. The players have responded to the coaching of Michael, Steve Gleeson and Kieran Forbes who have shown more empathy than was the case earlier in the season. but there is real frustration that results have not matched performances in recent games. We have tightened up at the back but we obviously need to take more of our chances and score more goals. Ciaren feels we can beat any team in the league and cited performances at Bedford and at home to Telford to show how we are at the same level as the top teams.

Ciaren says the dressing room atmosphere is excellent and the players remain confident. There are plenty of games left and we can take heart at how Sudbury avoided relegation last year having appeared doomed. There is no panic and the players remain confident we can start to get the results to match the performances.

Ciaren was quick to praise the supporters and says their great support has lifted the players. He thought the Telford game was the loudest and best atmosphere this season and the players are so grateful the supporters have remained loyal despite the results. At the end of a game now players high five supporters behind the goal. This started at Banbury and brings players and supporters closer together.

Ciaren was very impressive in this interview. He obviously cares about the club, respects the supporters and is determined to lead the team to better times.

BY ROY IZZARD