WEEKLY BULLETIN – 20TH AUG

FIXTURE
Saturday 21st August – Home to Nuneaton – League – Kick-off 3.00pm.
Tickets must be bought from our website.

There is no midweek game.

FA CUP
We will play in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on Saturday 4th September. The draw for this will be made on Monday and details will be on our website after 1.0pm.

HERTS SENIOR CUP
We have been given a bye in the first round of the Herts Senior Cup and will be away to Tring Athletic in the second round. Date to be confirmed in due course.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

REDDITCH
The opening game of the season is always a nervous affair as reality sets in and actual points are at stake after the friendlies. In the first 10-15 minutes you could see this from both sides but eventually we settled in to the game and we started to play our passing football and began to dominate possession. However I was disappointed with the number of cheap free kicks we gave away on the edge of the penalty area which resulted in free shots at our goal. Fortunately despite Redditch hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions we did not concede from these free kicks before half time.

Redditch grew in confidence which resulted in a period of pressure and they took the lead from a long throw. I had been pleased with our approach play but I felt it required a little more intensity. At half time we got the message to the players to not panic and to continue with the style of football but with more intensity.

The players took this on board and it was reflected in our second half play. I was pleased we equalized from a set piece we had been working on in training. While we continued to play good football we were still conceding silly free kicks in dangerous areas. We suffered a blow when Dan Webb limped off and we had to reorganize. Ironically the winning goal came from a fee kick on the edge of the area that I felt should not have been given. However it was a magnificent strike and it was on the cards after the number of free kicks we conceded.

We need to learn from our mistakes and continue to trust in the style of football we are playing.

NUNEATON
Nuneaton have a team packed with experienced players and despite having failed to win either of their two opening games they will be dangerous opponents. Their manager Jimmy Ginnelly has been in the game a long time and always puts together decent teams. It will be a difficult game but it should also be very entertaining as both teams look to play football. I hope we have a really good crowd to create a good atmosphere as many supporters who do not watch friendlies get the first chance to enjoy the Top Field improvements.

PLAYER NEWS
Ben Walster will be leaving Hitchin Town. It was mutually agreed that he will move on. Manager Mark Burke would like to thank Ben for all his past service for the club and wishes him all the best for the future

  • Dan Webb faces a fitness test on Saturday.
  • Jack Green will be going to Colney Heath to get match fitness.
  • Cieran Jones will not be available because of injury.
  • Daniel Akubuine faces a fitness test on Saturday.
  • Steve Cawley played 70 minutes for Stotfold last Saturday.
  • Max Ryan and Jonas Kolonda have signed on dual registration with Cambridge City.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
We have been training the past few weeks in preparation for the start of our season. We have our first friendlies coming up, which will allow us to get some minutes for all the players and get to have a look at everyone in a match environment.

We have also confirmed our FA Youth Cup match against Bugbrooke St. Michaels for Thursday 2nd September, 19:45pm kick off at Top Field. It would be great to see many Hitchin Town fans at the game, supporting the future Canaries. Tickets will be available to purchase online and will be £5 for adults, £3 for concessions £1 for teenagers and under 13’s and over 80’s are free.

Player update, we have had a number of our current players represent senior sides so far this season.

Stan Georgiou, Marlow Gough, Nikolay Rusev and Flavius Drescanu – Letchworth Garden City
Cam Groom, Lewis Franklin and Ollie Trott – Baldock Town
Nathan Wing – Ampthill Town

NUNEATON ADMISSION UPDATE BY KATE DELLER

Due to other works which have taken place recently, the turnstiles will not be ready to open for this Saturday 21st August. They will be re opened for the Royston game on Monday 30th August. Please continue to use the side gate and the turnstile gate to obtain entry. We would also just ask that before queueing please all have your tickets ready before you reach the gate/turnstile; with the QR code on show (as pictured). This will ensure a quicker passage through the turnstile. The Readers cannot scan a ticket confirmation. Please look on your e mail for the “Ticket Delivery” with the ticket attached. If you are having trouble please ask the marshall on hand to help you before joining the queue. Thank you.

HTFCW WEEKLY UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY

HTFCW travelled out on Sunday 15th August 2021 to Wicken to play Bletchley Shamrock Rovers. Here is an update from Jamie Smith.

“It was time to merge both teams together from the XI & Canaries. The game started slow with both sides trying to work each other out however it was a very even game. The Shamrocks took the lead with a good effort from outside the box that hit the top corner. Shamrock scored again just before the half time whistle. After the break Hitchin got their heads together and tried something new with three at the back and Hitchin managed to pull things level.

Unfortunately due to injuries and fatigue, Shamrock managed to pinch two late goals at the end.”

We are still continuing to recruit for players for the 2021/2022 season. We train Wednesday evenings at Ickleford Sports & Recreation Club, Chambers Lane. Ickleford. Training starts at 19:30 and finishes at 21:00, all abilities welcome!

UNDER 13’S ENJOY TOP FIELD
As part of a team bonding exercise our under 13 squad came to Top Field for the Boreham Wood game as our guests. They all enjoyed the experience.

BY ROY IZZARD