WEEKLY BULLETIN – 18TH FEB

FIXTURES

• Saturday 19th February Away to Stratford League kick-off 3.00pm. Coach leaves at 11.30am.
• There is no midweek fixture.
• Our next three home games are—
• Saturday 26th February Biggleswade Town
• Monday 28th February Tamworth
• Saturday 12th March Peterborough Sports
• Tickets for all three games are now available online.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

REDDITCH

Monday’s game was very important and we could not afford to lose. I told the players that this game should be the start of an unbeaten run and while disappointed we did not win we did achieve the objective. The first half was scrappy and a stalemate as both teams cancelled each other out. There was just one shot off target for both teams but we reached half time without conceding and I was hopeful we could get our noses in front and get the three points in the second half.

Everything was going to plan when we took the lead with a well worked goal and then had a great opportunity to make it 2-0. Unfortunately this chance was not taken and we were then punished by an excellent strike for the equaliser.

Every point is vital and it gives us something to build on.

STRATFORD

We go to Stratford on Saturday and it is important we are as solid defensively as we were on Monday. However we need to create more chances in the attacking third. We must have belief in ourselves and be confident that we will pick up enough points before the end of the season to avoid relegation.

I have every faith in the current players to get us off the foot of the table and with the continued support of our excellent supporters we can turn things around.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

• Jack Green will return to the squad for the Stratford game.
• Jake Hutchinson has scored 9 goals in just 8 appearances.

THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS FROM PAUL SPRAGUE AND KATE DELLER
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who volunteered on Saturday 12th February helping with the hedge work. A great deal was done and as ever we are so grateful for the extra pairs of hands to attend to the maintenance of our stadium. There will be more jobs booked in the future and we hope to see you all then. It makes very light work when so many of you help.

Thank you once again
KATE & PAUL

I actually joined the volunteers and as Kate and Paul say it is amazing how much can be done with a good number of volunteers. A lot was achieved and there was good camaraderie among the volunteers.

MERCHANDISE UPDATE
The new supply of bobble hats are now in stock. Please visit our online club shop to see the range of merchandise that is now on sale

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
As it is February half term our players had the week off from training and games.

This week we held our annual 6 aside Under 16s tournament at The Arena. This was a highly successful day for everyone involved. We would like to thank all the players, coaches, volunteers and parents for giving up their time to make the day such a success. We would also like to congratulate Royston Town FC Diamonds who won the tournament beating Hitchin in the final.

We also had some of our players gaining their valuable work experience hours helping out on our tournament as well as our Hitchin Town Community kids camps. This is a great opportunity for potential coaches to gain vital experience.

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
Only the one game played this weekend as the Canaries hosted Sherrardswood and this is what Jamie had to say:

Today we hosted a very strong Sherrardswood team. Only playing them 2 weeks ago we were looking at keeping the winning run going and pinching all 6 points from the fixtures. The weather conditions again were poor and the rain just wouldn’t stop. The game started well with both teams knocking the ball around comfortably. There were some great battles out there in the middle with Mercer and Colyer working hard to win every ball and control the tempo of the game. Sherrardswood put the pressure on but new centre back partnership H.Edwards and Rufaloglu broke the play down well.

Lewis and C.Edwards caused all sorts of issues down both wings also changing at half time to try and catch Sherrardswood out. A goal in the 44th minute of the first half came as a great volley from Mercer found the back of the net from a perfect corner from H.Edwards. The second half started the same as the first with Sherrardswood putting early pressure on. and eventually finding the back of the net to make it 1-1.

This woke Hitchin up with Colyer making a perfect pass through to Allen who found the back of the net to make it 2-1. Barret come on at half time for Wilson who had a great first half causing issues up top. Barret had an early chance only to just put it wide which was very unlucky. Amies had a fantastic game keeping their most threatening player away from the Hitchin goal breaking down all the play on the right. Jarrard had a good game also helping to break down all of Sherrardswood’s play. Goal and again from another great corner along comes Mercer to find the back of the net and again it was a great finish. Nemeth managed to bag herself Player’s Player after making some amazing saves to keep Hitchin in the game especially the save from a corner where she could not see the ball until the last second getting finger tips to the ball. Final score 3-1 to Hitchin and that is 3 wins on the bounce now for the Canaries.

Player’s player Nemeth

Manger’s player Amies’

FIXTURES

SUNDAY 20TH FEBUARY 2022
Beds & Herts Women’s Football League Chris Renshaw Cup

• 13:30 – EVERGREEN EAGLES v HTWFC XI
  EVERGREEN FC
• 14:00 – BURY RANGERS V HTWFC CANARIES
  RICHARD HALE SCHOOL, HERTFORD Richard Hale School, Hertford

Keep up to date with all the live scores & fixtures, Twitter @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! We are also looking for Club Sponsors ! Please get in touch for further information.

BY ROY IZZARD