WEEKLY BULLETIN – 17TH SEPT
FIXTURE
Saturday 18th September Home to Cheshunt FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online and season ticket holders must also buy tickets for this game.
If there is a replay it will take place on Tuesday 21st September at Cheshunt – kick-off 7.45pm.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
BROMSGROVE
I felt that in the first half we had plenty of possession and we tried to play our preferred style of football but I felt we were too slow in our possession and did not move the ball quickly enough to open up the Bromsgrove defence. We did create a couple of chances but I wanted more urgency in the second half.
Indeed I felt we played better in the second half and did move the ball quicker and created more chances. The difference between the teams was that Bromsgrove were more clinical and struck an excellent goal. We exerted plenty of pressure and had a couple of shots cleared off the line but it proved not to be our day despite a good performance.
BARWELL
I really enjoyed this game and I am sure all the supporters would have gone home with the same reaction. There was a fast tempo to the first half with both teams playing good attractive football. I think we just about deserved the 2-1 lead at half-time.
It was always going to be difficult to maintain the same intensity in the second half but this made the game even more open and exciting. I was really pleased with how we reacted after Barwell scored their equalizer. We worked really hard as we tried to find the winner and it eventually came in the 87th minute. It was great to see players , management and supporters celebrate in a boisterous manner. I am told that the cheer for the winning goal was heard in Lucas Lane!
CHESHUNT
We have a break from league football on Saturday as we face our Hertfordshire neighbours Cheshunt in the FA Cup. I think you all know what the FA Cup means to me and I am sure our supporters feel the same and this being the 150 year anniversary makes it even more special.
Cheshunt play at the same step as Hitchin and are a well established Isthmian League Premier Division side. They have made a steady start to the season and play a similar style to us. We have had them watched and know we will have to be at our best to win. It would be great to take the atmosphere the supporters created on Monday evening in to Saturday’s game and our fans can be our twelfth man. In our last three games we have had two victories and were very unlucky to lose at Bromsgrove so I feel we are moving in the right direction.
PLAYER NEWS
- Alex Marsh has rejoined Biggleswade FC and will be with them on Saturday. Mark Burke went on record to thank Alex for all his efforts since joining us from Biggleswade and it was unfortunate that due to the pandemic we did not see more of him in a Hitchin shirt. Alex had started his own business before joining us and has recently won two big contracts in Manchester and Leeds. This has meant that he was unable to commit himself as he wanted to the higher level of football at Hitchin. We wish him well at Biggleswade and hope that one day he may be able to return to Top Field.
- Dan Webb remains sidelined through injury.
- Lewis Barker continues his return to fitness and will be in the squad.
- Delsin Ackom will be in the squad after gaining international clearance.
FA CUP
The winners of tomorrow’s game will receive £3,375 in prize money while the losers will receive £1,125. It goes without saying how important the FA Cup is financially and it would be great for all our supporters to turn out tomorrow in large numbers to get behind the team. The turn out at Biggleswade was amazing and was much appreciated by the players so let us hope for another big crowd at Top Field on Saturday.
We have met Cheshunt twice before in the FA Cup. On 21st September 1968 we won 3-1 with goals from Bobby Harper and Roy Cutler 2. On 4th October 1969 we again won 3-1 with goals from John Ashworth and Bernie Gogan 2. Our most recent meeting with Cheshunt was on 4th October 2017 when we won 5-0 in the FA Trophy with goals from Dan Webb, Jack Green, Elliot Bailey, Brett Donnelly and Trey Charles.
NEW CLUB SHOP BY PAUL SPRAGUE & STEW CURTIS
Since April we have been offering our new range of Hitchin Town FC merchandise online and the response has been fantastic. We are so pleased that everyone has welcomed our selection from home shirts to mugs and made them all a huge success.
This Saturday we are excited to open our brand new Top Field Club Shop. Initially we are offering all of the items currently available online as well as a couple of additional items. We intend to launch further products and will share these with you in the coming weeks. Please call in on Saturday as well as future home games and pick up an item to help show your support for the Canaries and also help support the club. Items on sale include:
- Replica Home Shirts
- Replica Away Shirts (limited sizes)
- Hoodies
- Polo Shirts
- Scarves
- Mugs
- Mini Footballs
- Tales of the Town books
- Pin Badges
Within the club shop we also have a large selection of old programmes from across non league and league football. At just 10p each these offer a fascinating insight into football over the decades. We also have a selection of second hand football books.
We look forward to welcoming you all on Saturday.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 15th September we played at home against Barnet FC U19 in our second league match in our National U19 youth alliance league.
We played this fixture at Letchworth Garden City FC as Top Field was unavailable due to pitch preparation works to get the pitch in the best possible condition for the FA Cup game on Saturday. We will be back at Top Field on Wednesday 22nd September for our home match against Newport Pagnell.
I would like to thank Jason Valentine and all at Letchworth Garden City FC who made this game possible by allowing us to use their pitch and facilities.
We started the game strong, keeping the ball and making Barnet work very hard to try and regain possession of the ball. We created plenty of chances in the early stages of the game but failed to convert any of these into goals. In the 22nd minute Harry Dollimore went 1v1 with the Barnet goalkeeper who could only bring him down for a penalty. Marlow Gough stepped up and converted the penalty.
We continued to keep the ball and create plenty of clear cut chances but somehow could not find the second goal. Half time we were only winning 1-0.
Second half started similar to the first and on the 50 minute we scored our second goal, Ryan Perkins made a very good run down the right to cross for Flavius Drescanu to score. We continued to waste our chances and but were always in control of the game. in the 85th minute a free kick from Barnet was poorly defended and a slight scramble in the 6 yard box resulted in a goal for the visitors. There was some late pressure but we managed to hold on for the 3 points.
Man of the match was Flavius Drescanu for his excellent work rate up front while also scoring the winning goal.
Team: Dan Weaver, Ryan Perkins, Nathan Wing, Stan Georgiou, Marlow Gough, Scott Wilson (60m Joe Warne) Nikolay Rusev (C), Ollie Trott (78m Ace Barker) Kye Tearle (20m Harvey Stock) Flavius Drescanu, Harry Dollimore (30m Taylor Franklin)
Goals: Marlow Gough 22m, Falvius Drescanu 50m
HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
The season finally began on Sunday 12th September and both of our teams were in action.
Hitchin Town Women’s FC XI were away to Hartham Ladies FC and here is what manager Richard had to say:
‘Today we played our first game of the season away to Hartham. We started brightly and kept the ball very well. We had several shots in the first half, but Hartham broke through the middle to score and then from a rebound from a save by Georgie they made it 0-2 to Hartham at half time. We had a great response in the second half hitting the cross bar and shots going wide amd into the goalkeeper’s hands but as we pressed we left ourselves open at the back to concede another goal. I would say that we had 70% of the ball but a wonder strike by Hartham from outside the box made it 4-0.
Final score 4-0 to Hartham.
The score didn’t reflect the game but Hartham scored and we didn’t. I am proud of every single Hitchin player as they never gave up and actually played decent football throughout the game.
Player of the match
Heather Dean (Trev)’
Hitchin Town Women’s FC Canaries were at home hosting Letchworth Garden City Eagles Ladies, here is what stand in manager Callum had to say:
Well I never thought I’d be back managing on the side lines but here I am! The new fresh faced Canaries were ready to fly and within the first ten minutes Mercer grabbed the first goal of the season with a wild 25 yard shot sending it over the keeper. Allen doubled the Canaries lead minutes later when a ball sent through the Letchworth’s defence sent her on a mazy run and tucking in her first for the season. Letchworth’s defence was extremely shaky and were trying to find their feet but kept Allen & Edwards at bay on a few occasions. A confusion between the Letchworth centre back pairing and goalkeeper made it very easy for Allen to pinch the ball and poke it into the bottom corner to treble the Canaries lead.
Letchworth capitalised on a corner and several mistakes within the box where the Canaries failed to clear their lines. The first half was dominated by a solid, disciplined Canaries defence where Armstrong, Rufaioglu and newly signed Schofield commanded their lines. Allen was sent on a long run by Joyce who was returning back to the field after many months out due to health conditions. Allen tucked the ball away for her first of many hattricks this season. The referee blew for the half time whistle and there were definitely more goals to come.
The second half got underway and it was the Canaries who got the opening goal of the second half. Nemeth sent a long ball to Allen who was lurking on the edge of the Letchworth defence and saw her score her fourth of the game. However Letchworth did fight back after a string of defensive errors led to three goals being leaked into Nemeth’s net. Dennis-Harburg made her way onto the pitch for Joyce and made sure Letchworth quietened down after their recent rampage at the Canaries goal. A corner was awarded in the dying moments of the game which saw Nemeth punching strong to clear the ball away and the referee blowing the whistle for full time.
The way the Canaries pressed onto the Letchworth goal throughout the game meant they could have racked up a cricket score. However I am currently awaiting the ball to come out of the trees! It was league debuts for Carter, Schofield, D’Isola and Jarrard. I could have awarded player of the match to each and every single one of the players today for the sheer fight to the end and persistent battle to go one better. It was Joyce’s solid performance out in the defence and overcoming many knock backs that made her my player of the match.
Shooting and throw in drills are on the training agenda on Wednesday night!
Sunday 19th September 2021 fixtures are as followed:
Beds & Herts Women’s Football League Divison One
14:00 – HTWFC XI v Herts Vipers Development
Ickleford Sports & Recreation Ground, Chambers Lane, Ickleford, Hitchin, SG5 3YA
Beds & Herts Women’s Football League Division Two
14:00 – Everett Ladies v HTWFC Canaries
South Way Playing Fields, South Way, Abbots Langley WD5 0JL
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