WEEKLY BULLETIN – 19TH AUGUST

FIXTURES

• Saturday 20th August home to Basford League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online.
• Tuesday 23rd August away to Shefford & Campton Friendly kick-off 7.15pm. Please note this match will only take place if Shefford do not draw in the FA Cup on Saturday.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

RUSHALL OLYMPIC

On one of the hottest days I have ever been involved in throughout my football career all credit should go to the players of both teams who worked so hard in the intense heat. It was not the greatest spectacle but this was understandable in the conditions.

Water breaks were essential for player safety but of course the consequences of this was disruption to the flow of the game and a free flowing game was never on the cards.

We defended very well and also had a couple of pieces of good luck with Rushall possibly shading the match but whereas last season we would probably have conceded there is more resilience in the team this season and we ground out a 0-0 draw. Despite Rushall’s lowly position I still think they will be challenging for the play off’s.

AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS

There was a stark contrast in the playing conditions at Rushden as the heavens opened to produce a playing surface with plenty of zip. We started brightly and created chances but fell behind on 37 minutes. However the boys responded in the most positive way and struck back to equalize from the kick-off.This was well deserved as I think we were the team on top in the first half.

In the second half we defended resolutely and took the lead with a well taken Jack Morrell penalty .It was for handball which I do not believe we would have been given last season. We then restricted Rushden to few chances to hold on to the three points..

I was really pleased with the team’s work rate after the energy they had exerted on Saturday. It was our first ever victory over Rushden following 4 defeats and 1 draw.

BASFORD

We welcome Basford to Top Field on Saturday for their first ever visit. I am sure manager Mark Clifford will be looking for a reaction after their home defeat to Nuneaton in midweek. We will have to be on our guard as they will be dangerous opponents.

We need to draw on the confidence gained from the first three games and not get carried away. We will be keeping our feet firmly on the ground.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

• Josh Coldicott-Stevens played the full 90 minutes for Stotfold on Tuesday and will be in Saturday’s squad. Thanks to Brett Donnelly for agreeing to this.
• Jack Green and Callum Kane will also be in the squad but Kye Tearle faces a fitness test.
• We have made two new signings. Leon Chambers-Parillon and Alfie Warman have joined us. Their details are on our website.

ACADEMY UPDATE WITH MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 17th August we played at Hitchin Town FC against Godmanchester Rovers in the FA Youth Cup. We knew that the fixture would be tough for our young Canaries as this group of players had never played a game together (and had only had one training session as a team before the game!)

The game set off to the worst possible start with Godmanchester Rovers scoring within 6 minutes, but the young Canaries stayed calm and composed and eased their way into the game. Not that long after the equaliser came after a long distance strike from Uko Oji. We then took the lead after a composed finish from Torin Ntege and extended the lead further with a finish from Harrison Brown at the back post. We were looking good for our lead but a penalty before half time gave Godmanchester a goal and some hope of getting back into the match. At the break, we came in with a 3-2 lead.

The second half started fast and within a few minutes Harrison Brown powered a shot in at the back post to score his second of the game. This goal deflated Godmanchester and spurred the whole of the young Canaries on to keep creating more chances whilst keeping pressure on Godmanchester, giving them no time on the ball. Uko Oji got his second of the game after a bit of individual brilliance, curling the ball into the top corner. Captain Taylor Franklin, who had a superb game protecting the back line, added our 6th goal with the goal of the game, firing the ball into the top corner from 30+ yards. Torin Ntege finished the scoring with his second of the game. Late on Godmanchester were reduced to 10 men after a straight red for a bad tackle on Taylor Franklin.

The young Canaries now face Cogenhoe United away in the next round.

FRANK KING WAKE BY CHRIS NEWBOLD
I am now able to advise you all that our celebration of Frank’s life will be held at the Canary Club on Thursday 1st September, starting at 2pm.

Frank was a very popular man at the Club, and it would be great if as many folks as possible could put in an appearance to celebrate all the time and effort he put in at the Club. Frank’s sister, niece and her partner will be attending.

A buffet is to be provided, but so that we can get the correct numbers I would ask if you could just get in touch with me at chris.newbold@hitchintownfc.club or Roger Berry at roger.berry@hitchintownfc.club to let us know if you are attending, or you can advise me with any other means of communication but please make sure I have written your name down – can’t recall verbal transactions!

I’d be grateful if you could please let me have this information by the end of Friday 26th August please, so that I can advise the caterers.

Many Thanks – Chris

TOMMY EVERITT FUNERAL
Chairman Terry Barratt and myself attended Tommy’s funeral on Wednesday. It was good to meet a number of famous ex Canaries at the service. Charlie Turner, Peter Hammond , Alf Darcy, Brian Williams and Nick Whitehead were there but it is sad to think many of the Amateur Cup semi-final side have passed away.

FIXTURES AT TOP FIELD

• On Tuesday 23rd August Luton Town Under 23’s play Fox Soccer Academy at Top Field kick-off 1.00pm.
• On Wednesday 24th August Stevenage Under 17’s play Arsenal Under 17’s at Top Field kick -off 7.00pm.

Tickets for both games can be purchased from our website or you can pay on the day. The Luton game is pay what you want. The Stevenage game is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions and teenagers.

MERCHANDISE
Please remember to visit the club shop to see the large collection of Hitchin Town FC merchandise at tomorrow’s game. If you cannot attend please visit the online club shop.

BY ROY IZZARD