All NewsWeekly Bulletin

WEEKLY BULLETIN – 2 OCTOBER

374

Fixtures

vs Leamington (A) – Saturday 3 October (3pm KO)

On Saturday 3rd October we travel to Leamington for a league game kick-off 3.00pm. Leamington are 18th in the league table and have won one game with three draws and four defeats with a goal difference of 8-14.

Their three home attendances have been  552, 785 and 592. The coach leaves at 11.15am. You can still buy a coach ticket using the following link https://t.co/BQA9pj5V1B

Admission prices are adults £16, concessions £11, students £8, under 18’s £6 and under 12’s free. There is a £1 deduction if tickets are purchased online. Cash or card is accepted at the turnstiles.

Our home league game against Bury Town has been moved from Tuesday 27th October to Saturday 24th October due to both teams being out of the FA Trophy.

Manager’s Notes

Trophy Exit to Takeley

Well what can I say about Saturday? The positives were it was not a league game and we had excellent travelling support.

On the pitch we looked a totally different team to the one who were excellent against Bury Town in midweek, despite the result. We lacked energy and any sort of life about us in the opening exchanges. We then fell behind and this allowed Takeley to camp behind the ball and defend their lead and we now had to try and improve our performance and break down a very hard working, disciplined 11 players.

At half time I was extremely frustrated with what I had witnessed. We tried to think of different ways to get into goal scoring positions.

In the second half we had all the ball but did not lay a glove on the hosts and we didn’t have the required quality with the ball, energy, movement or imagination to break down a stubborn team. We conceded a goal on the break and this was the final nail in the coffin, although I did not see us having a shot on target, let alone a goal with the way we were playing, so 1 goal against was always going to be enough.

I don’t know what emotions I felt at the end, I was so confused that 9 players who started on Tuesday seemed to be totally different to the ones that turned up on Saturday.

We are going to lose games this season but there is a certain way to lose and this was not it.

A total waste of a Saturday and everyone’s time and effort.

I wish Takeley all the best in the next round.

Win over Leighton Town

We needed a reaction from everyone on Tuesday. We made a few changes to the starting 11 as we looked to bounce back from Saturday and get our first league win.

We started the game on the front foot as we looked to force Leighton back. Leighton started to grow into the game and they started to force us back and look more threatening but then we were able to take the lead via a penalty.

At half Time I was happy with the energy and application from all the players. I was happy that we were able to react from Saturday and battle hard together. We wanted a clean sheet and that was the objective In the second half, as we knew this meant a much needed three points.

Second half I felt we started well and had the better of the first 25 minutes but then Leighton grew into the game as they chased an equaliser as they threw everything at us. We worked hard, defended the box extremely well and when they did finally break through we had excellent goalkeeping.

The win has been a long time coming and we were all delighted to get the win and the clean sheet.

This just shows how the emotions of football can change, from doom and gloom on Saturday to real optimism on Tuesday.

We now need to stick together and build on this for Saturday.

Thank you for sticking with us, getting behind us, remaining positive and helping us win.

Trip to Leamington

On Saturday we travel to Leamington. Leamington will be a very good team despite their league position. Leamington have a very similar record to us this season, so I am expecting a very tightly contested battle.

Leamington arrive at the game off the back of an excellent point away to 3rd in the table Bromsgrove Sporting.

We need to make sure we now find some consistency as we look to back up Tuesday’s first league win.

I hope to see strong support get behind us again.

Player News

  • Temi Akinbusoye is suffering from a strain which will keep him out.
  • Rio Deall is recovering from the injury he received against Kettering Town.
  • Boni Pagano is on a dual reg with Enfield FC.
  • Jamie Breen will be getting some much needed game time with Enfield FC as he looks to improve his fitness to have a real impact in the squad.
  • George Morrall has returned from holiday and will be playing for Eynesbury Rovers Saturday.
  • Toby Syme is suffering from a strain picked up against Takeley.
  • Dylan Stitt is suffering from a strain picked up against Takeley.

Owen Brooks

We have signed Owen Brooks from Real Bedford. Owen was someone I tried to sign from MK Irish in the summer after a very good season but he decided to sign for Real Bedford. Owen will be a great addition to our squad and we were able to see a small glimpse of this on Tuesday against Leighton.

Academy Update

Our Elite team kicked off their league season at Home to Pro:Direct Luton development team. The end result ended in a 14-1 win.

The Elite team now has an away fixture on Wednesday.

The development team does not have a game.

If you would like to join the academy or for further information email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk

HTFC Radio

HTFC Radio will have coverage of Aaturdays match against Leamington with live coverage starting at 2.30pm listen at HTFC.radio12345.com.

Women’s FA Cup

This Sunday we have Womens FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round action at Top Field as Hitchin Belles Women welcome Cambridge United Women. Please get down and show your support. Tickets are available to purchase online or by card on the gate with Adults priced at £4 and kids free.

Play Safe Weekend

⚽💛💚 Play Safe Weekend Returns | 3rd & 4th October 2026 💛💚⚽
This weekend, clubs across the country will be supporting The FA’s Play Safe campaign, and this year’s theme is:
🗣️ “Keep Up The Convo”
Football is about so much more than what happens on the pitch. The chats before training, the encouragement during a match, the conversations after the final whistle, they all help children feel valued, supported and heard.
The FA is encouraging everyone involved in grassroots football to take a little extra time to ask, listen and respond. When young players know their voice matters, they feel safer, more confident and more connected to the game they love.
💬 Whether you’re a coach, volunteer, committee member, parent or supporter, you have an important role to play.
✅ Be positive and respectful. ✅ Encourage all players. ✅ Listen when young people want to share their thoughts. ✅ Help create an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe. ✅ Lead by example from the touchline.
At Hitchin Town Youth FC, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. By working together and keeping those important conversations going, we can ensure football remains a fun, safe and inclusive place for every child.
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact: 📧 safeguarding@hitchintownwomenfc.co.uk 📱 07467 021063
Let’s all do our part to Keep Up The Convo this Play Safe Weekend. 💛💚⚽

Community Update

October Holiday Courses

The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps

We will be running a Football Camp at the Arena in the October half term from Tuesday 27th October for 3 days to Thursday 29th October 2026.

The camp will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm with an option of a late pick up at 4.30pm

Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps

We will also be running a Multi-Activity Camp at Preston Primary School in the October half term from Tuesday 27th October for 3 days to Thursday 29th October 2026.

The camp will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm. (See Flyer)

Coaching Courses at the Arena

Junior Ability Counts

The Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock start from 5pm until 6pm on a Monday and from 5.30pm – 6.30pm on a Wednesday. The sessions are open to children from 5 – 16 years old with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.

The courses started on Monday 7th September and Wednesday 9th September and have a further 3 weeks to run until 19th and 21st October respectively.

Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course

The very popular Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock start at 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

The course began on Wednesday 9th September and will run for a further 3 weeks until 21st October

Coaching in Schools

We start the new school term delivering coaching sessions in our local schools with sessions taking place at:

  • Preston Junior – Wraparound Care
  • Oughton Primary – Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
  • Icknield Infants – After School Clubs
  • Woolgrove – Lunch Time Clubs
  • St Mary’s – PE Lesson
  • Brandles – PE Lessons
  • Samuel Lucas – After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday

If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Mark Burke at info@htcfc.co.uk

The Boys Done Good

Former Hitchin player, Will Wright has made the move to table toppers Boreham Wood from another table topper Barnet making his debut on Tuesday in a 3-1 win against Kidderminster Harriers. Two of the goals scored in that match were by another former Canary Jay Bird who played for us 14 times scoring once whilst on loan from MK Dons.

Mark Burke

Walking Football Update

Tonight (Friday night) the Hitchin Town walking football team have a friendly match against Biggleswade Unted at The Arena, kick off 7.00pm.

On Saturday 10 October (kick off 10am) they travel to Buntingford. An additional friendly has this week been added against Maulden at home in November.

The next walking football session will be on Friday 16 October 7-8pm at The Arena.

Barry Swain