WEEKLY BULLETIN – 20TH OCTOBER

FIXTURES

• Saturday 21st October Away to Bromsgrove League kick-off 3.00pm. Coach leaves at 10.30am.
• There is no midweek game.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

COALVILLE

Last week saw us win a very entertaining match against Coalville Town by 4 goals to 3. I felt we started the match positively and it was an even affair with good attacking football from both sides. Disappointingly we conceded the first goal despite having plenty of players back in defence although it was a very good strike.

However, we did respond well, when Finley chased down their keeper by the corner flag and forced him to put the ball out of play for a throw in. He then had the foresight to take the throw in quickly whilst their keeper tried to recover and Jack Snelus was able to get us back level with a well struck shot.

I think a combination of Coalville reacting positively to their set back and us taking the foot off the pedal lead to them taking control of the game, scoring 2 more goals and leading 3-1 at the interval.

At half-time to say the conversations we had with the players were a little aminated would be an understatement, but it certainly worked as we put on an excellent performance 2nd half, dominating from start to finish.

We scored 3 very good goals that were pleasing to the eye and secured us 3 points to sit just outside the play-off positions.

Another thank-you, and mention to the fans for your continued support and especially the ‘Canary Chorus’ who really created an encouraging atmosphere with their unique singing. Keep up the good work and hopefully you can recruit more singers to the Chorus for our next match against Sudbury.

BROMSGROVE SPORTING

We travel to Birmingham tomorrow to face an in-form Bromsgrove Sporting who were the first team to take points, this season, off runaway leaders Mickleover Sports when they drew 1-1 on Tuesday night.

Bromsgrove are yet another team that likes to build from the back and play football on the ground which should make it another entertaining match. We will be looking to continue our good form in the League and return to Top Field with some reward.

Peter Russell and Mary Springett

I would like to pass on my deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of Peter Russell and Mary Springett who both passed away last weekend.

Peter was the father of Rupert Russell who is a member of the Ground Staff that produce the excellent playing surface we are lucky enough to have at Top Field. Peter has supported Hitchin Town for decades and ensured Rupert followed suit, he attended matches regularly until ill health prevented him from coming but he kept in constant contact with the goings on at Hitchin through Rupert and the fantastic radio service. He was also a great advocate for the Supporters Trust of which Rupert is an Official. On a personal level I would like to thank Peter for the support he gave me as both a player and even more as the Manager through thick and thin. He will be missed and may he Rest in Peace.

Mary was a Legend of the Canary Club, always in the Social Club after matches and training sessions during my time as a player when her late husband Sid and son Richard helped with kit.

She continued to frequent the Club after Sid’s passing and had her regular little spot in the Corner of the front bar. She was a lovely lady who will also be missed very much.

HTFC RADIO AT BROMSGROVE BY FREDDIE CARDY
Bromsgrove Sporting vs Hitchin Town Radio Commentary

HTFC Radio will be bringing you live radio commentary of Hitchin’s trip to Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday. I’ll be joined in the commentary box by Marac Alionic, who has been doing a superb job at Top Field in my absence! Tune in from 2:45pm on htfc.radio12345.com

ATTENDANCES
We are currently tenth in the Southern League Premier Central Division attendance table with an average of 502. The top three are AFC Telford 1,273, Halesowen 1,034 and Stourbridge 1,008. The bottom three are Leiston 222, St Ives 246 and Berkhamsted 250.

Our seven consecutive Saturday home games saw an aggregate attendance of 3,630 at an average of 518. This shows the great loyalty and financial sacrifice of our supporters and to get 513 against Coalville at the seventh home game was a great achievement.

On Saturday we now have an away game which will be a novelty!

HERTS CHARITY CUP
Our Herts Charity Cup semi-final at St Albans has been arranged for Tuesday 5th December kick-off 7.45pm.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES

FA Youth Cup
On Wednesday 18th October we hosted Bury Town in the FA Youth Cup 3rd Qualifying round. This was for a place in the first round proper where the football league clubs will enter the competition.

The game started with Hitchin in complete control of the game with Bury being a very difficult team to break down. Hitchin created the only chances of the game, one early on which came off of the underside of the crossbar and the other late on which the keeper made a good save. This meant the teams went in at 0-0.

Second half and a poor pass from defence gave Bury a goal with barely a minute played. This gave Bury the energy they needed and not long later after a corner the ball bounced around in the box and was finally smashed home to give Bury a 2-0 lead. Hitchin had lost all control of the game and then midway through the half a quick Bury counter attack put the game out of reach. Hitchin did create plenty of chances but unfortunately failed to take any of them until Daniel Linehan scored a consolation goal with not long left to go.

Hitchin have fallen at this stage in 4 of the last 5 seasons and will be kicking themselves that they did not manage to progress.

However it has still been a great cup run beating Arlesey Town 2-1, Royston Town 5-3, Kempston Rovers 4-2 and Shefford Town & Campton 3-2.

Development Game
On Wednesday 18th October our development team hosted Kings Langley. This was a great chance for players who needed some minutes to get a run out. The game started as an even contest with both teams creating some half chances but Hitchin controlling the game. This meant both teams had to settle for 0-0 going into the break.

Second Half and Kings Langley created the better chances but some fine saves from Mason Taplin in goal kept the score at 0-0 and at the other end Hitchin pace on the counter attack caused plenty of problems. Half Time substitute Caleb Wright came on and scored two very good goals and Henry Silver completed the scoring in added time to give Hitchin the 3-0 win.

This now takes us to half term where the players will now get a week off from Training, Games and Education.

Open Training Sessions
GIRLS
On Monday 23rd October we have our first girls open training session at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch between 11:30am – 2pm.

BOYS
On Friday 27th October we have our boys open training session at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch between 11:30am – 2pm.

To register your interest for either the Girls or Boys and for further information please use this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
I start off the weekly bulletin update with some news as our First Team manager & coach have stepped down from their roles. I’d like to thank them for their work and what they installed into the team. I wish them all the best in the future. So that leaves me with introducing the new First team manager. We all know him, and it’s our very own Callum Ellis. Callum will start with the women at their next league game, once he is back from a cheeky week in the sun. The league has only just started and it’s time to focus on rebooting the First’s season. I trust Callum stepping up to the challenge that presents itself.

Results:

Hertfordshire FA Women’s Trophy First Round
Buntingford Town Women 1 – 1 HTWFC First, Hitchin progress into the Round Two after winning 4-2 on penalties.
The Canaries received a bye into Round Two.

Fixtures this coming weekend:
BHWFL Division Two
Hitchin Town Women FC Canaries : are home to Buntingford Town Women at St Christophers School, Barrington Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3JZ
Game is a 14:00 kick off.

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

BY ROY IZZARD