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WEEKLY BULLETIN – 1ST SEPTEMBER

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FIXTURES

  • Saturday 2nd September Home to Welwyn Garden City FA Cup Ist Qualifying Round kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online and this includes season ticket holders.
  • There is no midweek first team game but our youth team play in the FA Youth Cup
  • Wednesday 6th September Home to Royston Town kick off 7.45pm. Tickets can be purchased online or you can pay cash or card on the night. Prices will be £5 for adults, £3 for concessions, £2 for teenagers and £1 for children under 13. Over 80’s do not have to pay.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

MICKLEOVER

We travelled to Mickleover full of confidence but I was very disappointed with our first half performance and although it took two late goals to break us down I felt we had been second best all over the pitch. Whilst I felt the teams were similar in ability Mickleover’s work rate was better than ours.

There were stern words at half time and to their credit the players did respond and raise their game. We scored early enough to get back in to the game but ultimately we were not good enough to get the equaliser and Mickleover deserved their victory.

ROYSTON

We started the game in the same way we finished the game at Mickleover and we took an early lead. I was very happy with the way we were playing until we conceded a typical Royston set piece goal which brought them back in to the game. I was 1-1 at half time

Isaac Galliford picked up a knock just before half time and we were hoping he would run it off early in the second half but this was not the case and I had to replace him with Kavan Cotter who himself was not 100% fit due to a groin injury and he was not playing in his normal position.

We lost our way and our change coincided with Royston getting on the front foot. I then had to take Steve Gleeson off which saw Kavan move to his normal position whilst I gambled by bringing on Lewis Barker to play up front. This did not really work and Royston got their noses in front. It was not until the last 10 minutes that we put real pressure on Royston but the delivery from our crosses was not good enough and Royston dealt with them comfortably.

Overall it was a very disappointing bank holiday weekend but I remain confident we will be back in a positive frame of mind for the game with Welwyn.

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

It will be a difficult match on Saturday as despite Welwyn’s slow start to their League campaign they possess a lot of very good and experienced players. We will have to be at our best to win through to the next round

I will not be at the match today, as I am taking my father-in-law away for a short break with my wife, sister-in-law, and her family. Adam Parker will be in charge and be helped as normal by Josh Bickerstaff, Michael Jones, and John Albon.

Sadly, Marion’s mother passed away earlier this year and it was customary for my mother-in-law to go away on holiday with my father-in-law in September.

This is a time when my family must come first as my wife has made many sacrifices over the past 35+ years for me to be involved in football.

Enjoy the match and hopefully you will witness a win to get through to the 2nd Round.

RECENT HISTORY IN THE FA CUP
Looking back at the last 10 seasons we have only once reached the first round proper when we were beaten by Solihull Moors. We have been beaten in the first qualifying round 3 times, the second qualifying round 4 times and the third qualifying round twice.

  • 22/23 1st QR
  • 21/22 2nd QR
  • 20/21 2nd QR
  • 19/20 3rd QR
  • 18/19 Ist Round
  • 17/18 ist QR
  • 16/17 2nd QR
  • 15/16 3rd QR
  • 14/15 2nd QR
  • 13/14 1st QR

HERTS SENIOR CUP
We have been drawn at home to Leverstock Green in the first round of the Herts Senior Cup. The game has to be played by 3rd November.

YOUTH UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
First Team Debut

On Saturday in the first team’s away league game against Mickleover FC, second year academy player Chris Khoo was named in the match day squad. He also made his step 3 competitive debut by coming on as a late substitute in this match.

Academy Head Coach Stephen Gleeson said “I was really pleased for Chris to not only be named in the matchday squad but also come on and make his debut, hopefully it will be the first of many and he can keep progressing”

Male & Female Academy Teams
We are still recruiting for both our Male & Female Academy teams. If you would like to find out further information or register your interest then please use this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

MERCHANDISE UPDATE
The club shop continues to be busy on match days so many thanks for your support. There is a wide range of merchandise available with new lines added this season together with the match day programme, team sheet and a selection of sweets and chocolates. So please pay a visit tomorrow to see for yourselves.

BY ROY IZZARD