WEEKLY BULLETIN – 19TH APRIL
FIXTURE
- Saturday 20th April Away to Stamford League kick-off 3.0pm. Coach leaves at 11.30am.
- There is no midweek fixture.
MANAGER’S NOTES BY BRETT DONNELLY
Another home game and no win. I went into this one firmly believing we would get something from this fixture. Sadly, we didn’t produce anywhere near the levels of quality, determination or fight to warrant us getting anything. Biggest disappointment for me was the lack of urgency at the end when we had to get a goal. I was asked after the game if I felt I was correct in taking off our top scorer Finn. Apparently it caused a bit of a stir. Now I haven’t seen much of Finn but on Saturday I didn’t see anything to suggest he was going to change the game for us. Hence why I took him off. I am not a man who goes on reputation of players. I judge what I see with my own eyes. I want players to run through brick walls for each other, for the management team and most importantly the fans. When this isn’t there to be seen I will act. Finn wasn’t alone in a sub-par performance; he was one of many. I can’t accept the lack of work rate and fight. We are scrapping for our lives, and I want to see that reflected on the pitch!! What I’d give to be able to get out there myself.
It seems as though the run of results since Christmas has had a much more deep-rooted effect than I imagined. Confidence is low and the ability to do the simple things they were doing earlier in the season has gone. The mental side of the game is so much more than you can imagine. Pressure does crazy things, something I’m hoping effects Stamford this Saturday as they bid to secure a play off spot. A team fighting for promotion against a team fighting to stay up. I hope they get the jitters and we are able to capitalise. We have worked hard in training this week in getting our message across of what we want and how we want to set up. Its gone really well and I am hoping we see the fruits of our labour play out Saturday afternoon. Its been our best week on the training pitch to date. Unfortunately we have some casualties. Connor Vincent is carrying a knock and we won’t risk him this weekend. It looks as though Jack Snelus’ season is finished due to his hamstring strain. Isaac Galliford also has a hamstring strain and may be back for the final game but its touch and go. Finally Finlay picked up a hamstring pull and is out for the season. Losing 4 forwards at this stage isn’t ideal but we carry on and work through it. Tough times are sent to test us, and we’re being fully tested at the moment but it will make us all stronger long term. Let us all stay as positive as possible. Whatever happens, I promise the good times are on the way.
NEXT SEASON
The Southern League have announced the 2024/25 season will start on Saturday 10th August 2024.
GREG CUP FINAL AT TOP FIELD
On Wednesday 24th April we will host the Greg Cup final. The teams competing are Owens Thirds Vs Elizabeth Allen Old Boys First.
The charge for the game is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
Kick-off is 1945 .
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
This week the academy players have been focusing on their educational work as over the Easter break they were all on work experience placements. We had many of the players choose to do their placements with us working in the community for Hitchin Town FC. This involved coaching on the Easter kids courses and helping out with the Academy open training sessions.
We are looking forward to getting everyone back on the training pitch next week as although the season is coming to an end we are now focusing on getting our older players who are coming to an end at the academy, prepped for their transition into senior football and our younger ones who are progressing next year ready for the start of pre season training at the end of July.
HTWFC UPDATE BY CALLUM ELLIS
Results:
- HTWFC Firsts 2 – 3 Buntingford Ladies
- Real Bedford 2 – 1 HTWFC Canaries
- HTWFC Canaries 1 – 1 HTWFC Firsts
The results this week have seen Watton round off their season, with no games left to play aqnd the Canaries find themselves two points away from lifting themselves from the bottom of the table. It has seen our First team remain above Watton with a one point cushion with three fixtures remaining. If the First’s results go their way it could see them leapfrog EB Lions. We thank Hitchin Town FC for hosting the Canaries v Firsts, it was a truly exciting fixture with both teams showing each other their class.
Upcoming Fixtures
Sunday 21st April 2024 – 14:00
Buntingford Ladies v HTWFC Firsts
St Christophers School, Barrington Road, Letchworth
HTWFC Canaries v Letchworth Garden City Eagles Ladies
Pixmore Playing Fields, Baldock Road, Letchworth SG6 2ER
Wednesday 24th April
HTWFC Firsts v Real Bedford – 19:30
Barton Rovers FC, Barton
Recruitment
As we enter the closing stages of the season, I already start progressing the 2024/2025 season. We have plenty of voluntary opportunities available at HTWFC so please click on https://www.hitchintownwomenfc.co.uk/clubinfo/Vacancies
BY ROY IZZARD