WEEKLY BULLETIN – 1ST OCT
FIXTURES
- Saturday 2nd October Home to Stourbridge League Kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be bought from our website.
- Tuesday 5th October Away to St Neots Southern League Cup Kick-off 7.45pm. There is no coach to this game.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS
I felt the players responded really well to the poor showing against Cheshunt. We took the game to Rushden and had plenty of possession. We had some good approach play but I do appreciate that we lacked that cutting edge. We went in to half time with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a penalty and we did deserve to be ahead.
The second half saw Rushden change their shape and they caused us a number of problems as they forced us back. We had to defend far more vigorously than in the first half. I was disappointed with the manner in which we conceded the equalizer and we will learn from this mistake. We came more into the game after conceding and the play became more even.
Unfortunately we gave away a needless free kick which invited pressure and the winning goal came from it in injury time which was a real kick in the teeth. I said to the players after the game that football can be very cruel at times. However we need to bounce back and prepare for the next game.
TAMWORTH
Unfortunately it became apparent early in the week that the petrol crisis was affecting a large number of our players who were unable to fill up their cars. While we were going by coach players had to travel to the pick up points and we did consider using public transport but we would be returning after midnight which meant this was not practical.
By the time we contacted the league many other clubs had already been in touch with their concerns and eventually the Southern League joined the Isthmian League in permitting games to be called off. Over half the midweek fixtures ended up being cancelled. We were not even able to hold a training session on the night because of the petrol crisis.
STOURBRIDGE
We head into Saturday’s game with Stourbridge with both teams looking for a victory to take them away from the relegation zone. Stourbridge have slowly improved their performances of late without getting the required results. I anticipate a difficult game but one that we will be approaching positively.
I look back over the last five games and apart from Cheshunt I think we have played well in the other four winning two with two narrow defeats. We need to dig in and keep believing in what we are doing and the results will follow. I urge all supporters to get behind the team on Saturday and to really show your support.
PLAYER NEWS
Darion Furlong is recovering well from his hip flexor injury and should return to the squad on Saturday.
YOU THINK YOU HAVE SEEN IT ALL
Having been watching Hitchin for more than 50 years I thought I had seen everything but Tuesday’s postponement was a first for me with the game called off because players could not get any petrol. After the coronavirus pandemic you really do wonder what will happen next to prevent a game taking place!
However the petrol crisis will not affect this weekend’s games as the Southern League released the following statement on Thursday:
The League’s Board has decided that requests for the postponement of this weekend’s and next midweek’s fixtures owing to the “fuel crisis” will not be considered. The Board therefore advises Clubs to seek alternative transport if necessary to be able to fulfil its forthcoming fixtures. Should the “fuel crisis” worsen, then the Board will review matters.
LUTON UNDER 23’S AT TOP FIELD
We are pleased to announce we will be hosting two game for the Luton Under 23 team at Top Field.
Tuesday October 5th – versus Millwall – 1.30pm kick off
Tuesday October 12th – versus Bournemouth – 2.00pm kick off.
Admission prices will be £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1 for children and teenagers.
The first game against Millwall is set up on our ticket website and tickets will go on sale on Friday morning at 10am. The link to the site is: https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/product/LUT2122U2301
CALLUM STEAD
Callum made his debut for South Shields last Saturday. He came on as a substitute in the 69th minute in a 3-2 over Warrington Town last Saturday but he started the game in midweek and scored the first goal in a 2-1 win over Lancaster City.
TICKETING/MERCHANDISE UPDATE
Coach tickets for the Henesford game on Saturday 9th October go on sale on Friday morning and tickets for the Coalville game on Monday 11th October game go on sale on Sunday morning.
We hope to have more stock of replica shirts available on Saturday together with a new line—black polo shirts. Why not pop along to the new club shop and have a look at the range of merchandise on offer.
ACADEMY UPDATE
Stanley Georgiou, Flavius Drescanu, Marlow Gough, Cameron Markland and Nikolay Rusev have all been playing with Letchworth FC at step 6.
Ollie Trott, Cameron Groom and Lewis Franklin have all been playing with Baldock Town FC at step 5.
Daniel Weaver has been playing for Stotfold FC at Step 6.
Big week for our players playing with Baldock Town FC. They won in the FA Vase away to Potton United on Saturday on penalties with a save from our keeper Cameron Groom. They also won in the week against St Margaretsbury after coming from 4-0 down, Ollie Trott scored an equaliser with the last kick of the game which then went to penalties where Cameron Groom scored and saved a penalty.
Daniel Weaver kept a clean sheet for Stotfold in a 1-0 home win against Langford.
Nikolay Rusev came off the bench to score for Letchworth in their 2-2 draw last week away to Shefford Town & Campton.
Both midweek games for the academy sides were postponed due to the petrol crisis.
HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
Hitchin Town Women’s FC XI were hosting Knebworth Ladies FC at Ickleford and here is what manager Richard had to say:
Today match report.
We played a 4-4-3 system against a Knebworth Team that have had a slow start to the season the same as we have… Hitchin started very well and with a strike from Dean in the right corner of the 18 yard box it rifled into the bottom corner and Hitchin were 1-0 up in 8 minutes. A free kick taken by Day on 20 minutes going to the top corner but the Knebworth keeper saved.
25 minutes saw a water break and Spang, Higgs and Dean came off to be replaced by Darling, Shackell and Clarke. A great run down the wing by Clarke and a shot on target saved again by the Knebworth goalie. Shots and headers followed from Evans, Darling and Day but the opposition goalie was stopping everything. Eventually a shot from Darling squeezed under the goalie to make it 2-0 to Hitchin at half time.
60 minutes and Knebworth were on the attack, Hitchin failed to press like they had all game and a strike from the left side went in. Reinsford had no chance.
Subs- Amies, Clarke and Darling off and Spang, Dean and Higgs on.
Score now 2-1 to Hitchin.
On 70 mins Spang had a chance at an open goal, 3 yards out and put it over the crossbar. Another attack from Spang had her shot go just wide. 75 mins Sub- Day off, Piper on..Hitchin gained back control of the game to see it out for a 2-1 win and the first win of the season.
Goal scorers – Dean, Darling
Player of the match –
Taylar Coffey
Hitchin Town Women’s FC Canaries were away to Watton Ladies First here is what manager Jamie had to say:
Today the Canaries faced a tough Watton team. The game started well with both sides creating chances early. However it was Hitchin who managed to find the net first with a great finish from Allen after a great through ball from Mercer. Watton hit back managing to break through the Canaries defence to make it level. After half time Watton found the net again early making things difficult for the Canaries. After battling we managed to break through with another great ball from Mercer for Allen to slot it home. 2-2 the game got very competitive and either side could have nicked it. Unfortunately it was Watton who walked away with the points in the last few minutes of the game after a rebound shot led to a tap in. Great game of football from both squads.
Players player Rufaioglu
Managers player Harrower
Sunday 3rd October 2021 fixtures are as follows at Ickleford Sports & Recreation Ground, Chambers Lane, Ickleford, Hitchin, SG5 3YA.
Beds & Herts Women’s Football League Division Two
14:00 – Buntingford Ladies FC v HTWFC Canaries
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!