Weekly Bulletin

WEEKLY BULLETIN – 20TH JANUARY

10

FIXTURES

  • Saturday 21st January Away to Coalville League kick-off 3.00pm. Coach leaves at 10.30am.
  • Monday 23rd January Home to Barwell League kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets must be purchased online.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

MICKLEOVER

We got off to the worst start possible at Mickleover on Saturday when we conceded a goal after just 2 minutes. However we responded to this setback very well and got back in the game to equalise with a well worked goal after 12 minutes. I thought we then caused Mickleover problems with our football and we really should have scored from a free header. We went in to the interval all square.

We started the second half brightly but the game then settled in to a bit of a stalemate. But after 65 minutes we took the lead and this saw Mickleover make some substitutions and they changed their formation to play with 3 strikers. We were forced to defend deeply not because we chose to but because Mickleover pressed so hard for the equaliser.

We managed to hold firm and defend resolutely but we were grateful to Charlie Horlock for making a brilliant save at the death which ensured we returned to Top Field with a hard earned 3 points.

COALVILLE

At the beginning of the season Coalville were my favourites to win the league title and they currently sit in a play-off position. Whilst Tamworth and Nuneaton lead the way Coalville have games in hand and I would not write off their chances of winning the title.

We will travel with a full squad and with plenty of confidence after 3 successive wins but it will obviously be a tough challenge.

BARWELL

It seems a long time ago now when we opened our league season at Barwell back in August and we came home with a 2-1 victory. In recent weeks Barwell have suffered a number of postponements which has not allowed them to continue the run of form they were showing when this fixture was originally due to take place. I think they are a good side in a false league position. I am expecting a difficult game especially after playing at Coalville on Saturday but it will be entertaining as both sides look to play football the right way.

I hope our supporters again turn up in good numbers to really get behind the team.

PLAYER NEWS

  • Steve Cawley returned to full training on Thursday and this meant the whole squad trained in what was a very intense session as competition for places becomes even more fierce.
  • Last Saturday Jack Morrell, Mal Black and Dempsey Thomas took part in an internal friendly at Slough. This was a useful exercise for them as they gained vital match time. I would like to thank ex-Canary Tony Fontenelle for his help in arranging this. He is the assistant manager of Slough.

TOBI ADEYEMO
Many congratulations to Tobi Adeyemo who came on as substitute for Watford last Saturday and scored the winning goal against Blackpool. He has gone from playing for us at Needham Market to being substitute in the FA Cup game at Reading and then his moment of glory against Blackpool. He was only 17 years and 307 days old and became the first Watford academy graduate to score on his debut since 2004. Tobi became somewhat of an overnight sensation and all at Hitchin are delighted for him. The only downside is that we are unlikely to see him return on loan to Hitchin!

Manager Mark Burke said the following to the Watford Observer–

Tobi is a very grounded young man and has been brought up well by both his family and Watford FC. His attitude is second to none and everyone at Hitchin really liked him, he fitted in really well.

As I said Tobi has been brought up really well and I know he will stay grounded with all the attention he is getting at the moment and he will take it in his stride. I think he has all the attributes to make it and wish him the very best of luck and hopes he never forgets his short spell with Hitchin Town FC.

Tobi was very keen to learn and spent his time on the bench observing Steve Cawley, a very good and experienced centre forward, but he also took on board how we wanted to play as a team. I think his experience with us was very beneficial for him and I would like to think he would agree.

Tobi’s success after playing for us can only help our standing with EFL clubs who know their loan players will be well looked after and will learn from the experience of playing for Hitchin. It means when Mark approaches these clubs for loan players we will be considered a good club for the player to join.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 18th January we played at home to One Touch Football Academy, looking for a much-improved performance from last week’s game. The young Canaries started off the game really well, dominating possession and creating plenty of chances. The opposition had their keeper to thank for keeping the score level after some fine saves throughout the first half. At Half time the teams came in at 0-0 but it had been one way traffic for the whole of the first half.

Second half started exactly the same as the first half with the young canaries dominating the game and creating all the chances but were unable to find a way past the opposition goalkeeper who continued to make save after save. It was starting to look like one of those days but Harry Dollimore managed to produce a moment of individual brilliance cutting in from the left-hand side, beating multiple players in the process to slot the ball past the keeper. 1-0 to the young Canaries but this did not last long, against the run of play with one of their only attacks of the game, the opposition scored after a defensive mix up at the back to make the score 1-1. This made for an interesting last 20 minutes as both teams now were trying to get the win and the game became slightly more open with the majority of the chances coming our way. Late on in the game a defence splitting pass by James Campbell allowed Riley Geary to go one on one with the goalkeeper and he rounded him to score the winner. Final score 2-1.

A well deserved victory and a much better performance from the previous week. We now travel away to top of the league next week.

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
Fixtures this weekend

14:00 – HTWFC Firsts v Sherrardswood Ladies FC
Ransoms Recreational Ground, Grove Road, Hitchin, SG5 1SG

14:00 – HTWFC Canaries v Garston Ladies Development
Ickleford Sports & Recreation Ground, Chambers Lane, Ickleford

We are looking for new players to join our progressing teams. We train weekly at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock. We train 19:00 – 20:30 each Tuesday and you have to be 16 years old or over.

We are also looking for new sponsors for the women’s set up. We are looking for sponsorship for training kits and tracksuits. If this is something you are interested in please get in touch with Callum on HTLFC.ClubSecretary@gmail.com.

BY ROY IZZARD