WEEKLY BULLETIN – 22ND OCT

FIXTURES

• Saturday 23rd October home to Stratford League kick-off 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased from our website.
• Tuesday 26th October away to Tamworth League kick-off 7.45pm. Coach leaves at 4.00pm.

Tuesday 26th October away to Tamworth League kick-off 7.45pm. Coach leaves at 4.00pm.

ALL SOULS DAY THIS SATURDAY
Our fixture this Saturday at Top Field against Stratford Town will be our All Souls Day event where we will remember and celebrate the lives of former players, club officials, volunteers, supporters plus friends and family that have passed away over the last two years.

Club Chaplain, Vicar of St Marks Church and regular at Top Field, Reverend Nick Smith will address the crowd shortly before kick-off and then lead a minute’s applause to remember, celebrate and draw inspiration from those we have lost in recent times.

We have had a tremendous response to our request for names to remember and will be remembering nearly thirty people including former players John Woodward who played for the club between 1981 and 1986. Three members of the 1970 London Senior Cup winning squad, Peter Robinson who made 293 appearances for the club, goal scoring legend Bernie Gogan and match winning captain, John Ashworth. Bill ‘Wink’ Saunders who scored 67 goals in 83 appearances between 1945 and 1948.

Club President Tony Huckle. Former Commercial Manager and committee member Fred Andrews plus ground staff volunteer, Matthew Malarowski. Former Supporters Club Membership Secretary and match day volunteer John Gray plus Rose Wilkinson, who ran the Canary Club Bar.

Stalwarts of the terraces such as Ralph Armitage, Min Birdsey and Chris Green plus other supporters who followed the club for many years and good friend of Hitchin Town, Mishi Morath.

We are also delighted that Stratford Town have offered us names to remember. Former player and volunteer, Les Windsor plus much respected supporters Glynn Hughes and Dave Taylor.

The match day programme will contain a short tribute to everyone we are remembering making it a commemorative issue. Some of these tributes were written by family members and we look forward to welcoming many of the families to the game as guests of the club.

It will be the club’s opportunity to remember, say ‘thank you’ and celebrate the lives of those we have lost over the last two years but we were unable to do so at the time due to Covid and lockdowns.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

NEEDHAM MARKET

To say I was disappointed with our performance would be an understatement. It was one of the poorest performances from one of my teams in my managerial career and was obviously not what I had wanted before the game with Hitchin third from bottom in the league and Needham Market below us. In saying that I believe Needham Market were in a false position and have suffered like ourselves in being very unfortunate in a number of games where they did not get the result they deserved. Speaking to their manager before the game he said they just needed something to click and unfortunately Saturday was that day.

I must admit that after the game I felt it was one of the lowest points in my long career at Hitchin. I was lifted by the fact that I did receive a number of positive messages from other managers, ex-players, supporters, friends and most importantly family and this made me determined to fight on. I will be reviewing my situation over the next couple of weeks where I am hoping there will be an upturn in our fortunes.

I put a message out to the players that we needed to work harder and we came in for an additional training session on Monday evening to regroup. We analysed the video of the Needham Market game and the players had their say as well as the coaching staff.

ST IVES

There was a good atmosphere in the dressing room before the game and I felt we started the game well. As has happened too often this season we missed an opportunity to open the scoring and then conceded a well taken goal to St Ives in a ten minute spell when they were the better team. I was pleased with our reaction to going behind and we did not buckle and dug in to try and get the equalizer.

We suffered a blow when we lost Lewis Barker to a head injury just before half time. However I was able to replace him with Callum Stead and his introduction visibly buoyed our players. I felt we went on to dominate the second half but unfortunately squandered two great chances and paid the price with a costly defeat.

STRATFORD AND TAMWORTH

We face two very tough games at home to Stratford on Saturday and away to Tamworth on Tuesday. I felt there were definitely encouraging signs at St Ives and we have to build on this.

I appeal to all our supporters to come out in numbers to the Stratford game and get behind the team and the players will be striving to repay them with a victory. They really are determined to make up for last Saturday.

HOW CALLUM STEAD CAME TO PLAY AT ST IVES
It came as a shock to everyone when Callum Stead was named as a substitute at St Ives. Mark told me how this unexpected situation arose. He had noticed that Callum was spending most of his time at South Shields on the bench and had not come on in the game on Saturday. So Mark suggested to the South Shields manager that it would help Callum to get match time so would he agree to allowing Callum to play for Hitchin at St Ives. Callum trained as normal on Tuesday morning but was told after the session that he was being released.

Mark found this out from the manager and then rang Callum asking him if he would be prepared to drive down to St Ives to play. Full credit to Callum that he was prepared to undertake a four and a half hour journey after collecting his belongings from his digs with no guarantee he would arrive at St Ives in time for the game. He arrived just before half time and came on at the start of the second half.

PLAYER NEWS

• Jack Green is returning to Hitchin. We thank Colney Heath for providing match time for Jack as he strived to return to full fitness. Unfortunately Jack was sent off last week and is now serving a three game suspension.
• Lewis Barker will miss the Stratford game due to the head injury he sustained at St Ives.

GENERATION CUP UPDATE
There was a full page article in last week’s Non League Paper promoting the Generation Cup and interest in the competition continues to grow. Crystal Palace and Maidenhead are fully embracing the day and at Hitchin Mark is continuing to add further names to the squad including a bona fide FA Cup legend in Brian Talbot. Brian has the unique record of winning consecutive FA Cups for different teams and then playing in a third consecutive final which ended in defeat. In 1977/78 he was in the Ipswich team that beat Arsenal 1-0 before moving to Arsenal for £450,000 and then scoring in the 3-2 victory over Manchester United in 1978/79 and then was in the Arsenal team defeated in 1979/80 by West Ham. Brian played 233 games for Ipswich scoring 32 goals and 327 games for Arsenal scoring 49 goals. He also won 6 England caps.

Brian is now 68 but will play some minutes for Hitchin in the Generation Cup alongside his son Danny who played for Hitchin in the 2018/19 season. In a competition celebrating 150 years of the FA CUP it is a real coup to get an FA Cup legend at Top Field.

Other ex Canaries to commit include Lee Burns, Dave Cooper, Matt Spring, Rob Kean, Robbie Burns and Brett Donnelly. We are hoping as many ex players attend on the day as possible and if you want to come please email info@htcfc.co.uk.

Final details of the Generation Cup will be in next week’s bulletin.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES

On Wednesday 20th October we played at home to top of the table Soccer Elite in the SCL Development league. Despite a very strong defensive performance we ended up losing the match 2-1. We had plenty of positives from the game and we hope to build on this performance for future weeks.

Man of the match: Ansu Koroma
Goal: Harrison Sollis

We are now starting recruitment for the 22/23 season. Our first open training session is Monday 25th October 2021, 1pm -3pm at Baldock Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU on the all weather pitch.

To book your place or for further information please use this link -https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

Next Trial Dates | Hertfordshire | HTCFC
Please note: Metal studs or blades are strictly prohibited on the 3G surface.
www.northhertsarena.co.uk

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY

Sunday 17th October 2021, saw the return of the Women’s Challenge Cup, better known as the Herts County Cup.
The XI were drawn at home to Garston Ladies Junior Section U18 Leopards.

Here is what manager Richard had to say about the game:

We played against Garston Ladies under 18’s in the first round of the Herts County Cup. We had a full squad of 16 players today so plenty of subs against a young side.
Hitchin started well with Coffey playing a lovely cross field pass into Logan’s feet for her to attack the goal and score within 5 minutes of the game starting. A couple of minutes after that a long throw from Darling bounced twice in the box for Logan to spring like a gazelle to head the ball home. 2-0 Hitchin.

On 8 minutes Darling struck a low powerful shot across the goal to find the corner of the net. 3-0. Clarke went on another one of her runs down the wing only to stop on the corner of the 18 yard box and smash the ball, top bins giving the Garston keeper no chance. 4-0. Hitchin won another corner which saw a scramble in the box and Higgs stuck her foot out and poked the ball into the net. 5-0. Spang came on at left wing and with her very first touch had a shot just wide of the post. Great pressing again by Darling, winning the ball back and passing to Coughlin-Flood to side foot the ball into the net. 6-0 Garston had a rare attack but the shot went straight into Reinsford’s hands. 6-0 half time.

57 minutes and an amazing acrobatic over head kick from Darling went in. 7-0 Day was pushed up front for the first time this season and had several shots just wide, but no luck yet. Great control from Day to then slot the ball to Shackell to score. 8-0.

A truly amazing pass from right back Moore to Day who took one touch and lobbed the Garston goalie to make it 9-0. Great passing play between Dean and Day resulted in a pass to Shackell to score again. 10-0. A bit of a mix up at the back between the defence and the Hitchin goalie resulted in a Garston player nipping in to score. 10-1. Great strike from Elliott saved by the Garston goalie. Just before the final whistle Shackell scored again to make it 11-1 final score.

Today was a good all round team performance but for scoring a hat-trick player of the match goes to Jodie Shackell.

Goal scorers: Shackell x3, Logan x2, Day x1, Coughing-Flood x1, Higgs x1, Darling x2, Clarke x1.

The Canaries were drawn away to Bury Rangers Ladies Girls U18, here is what coach Callum had to say about the game:

So we made the short trip to Hertford this afternoon to play the future of women’s football. The game got underway and as expected Bury started very brightly and were quick on the break. An early chance for Bury was seen flashing past the post and a quick wake up call to the Canaries. However it was Bury who opened this afternoon’s scoring when they won a penalty within the opening five minutes of the game. Pressure was on the shoulders of the Bury player who calmly slotted past Nemeth. The Canaries got off on the wrong foot however they started to knock the ball around the field tiring the forever hungry Bury. Allen had the chance to get things level however the Bury keeper was too quick off her line, closing the angle down quickly giving Allen no time to get the shot away. GOAL HITCHIN! Joiner flicked the ball onto Allen who was sent through onto the Bury goal, rounding the keeper and slotting it into an empty net. Game now level and the Canaries finding their feet. GOAL HITCHIN! Colyer doing what she does best in the middle and picked up a loose ball and sent it through a gap in the Bury defence for Allen to send it looping over the keeper to put the Canaries in front. McIntyre and Edwards made way for Jarrard and Carter. Bury were still dangerous on the counter however they were no bother for Amies. Bury who were receiving their first taste of adult football this season were certainly tested when Schofield came crashing through a Bury counter attack. GOAL HITCHIN! Mercer with the ball through to Allen who fired it away for her hat-trick. Just before the interval Wilson replaced Allen.

Schofield and Amies were replaced by Armstrong and Edwards. The second half was all Canaries and it was Mercer, Colyer, Jarrard and Rufaioglu who commanded the half. Bury were broken down by the Canaries and they were left chasing shadows. Lewis and Wilson linked up however Joiner was unable to find the net. A few more shots from Edwards, Mercer and Colyer were calmly collected by the Bury keeper. Bury were still dangerous on the counter attack however it was calmly dealt with by the experienced Armstrong. Wilson and Lewis made way for Amies and Allen. Barratt entered the field of play for Joiner. GOAL HITCHIN! Rufaioglu cleared her line however the ball travelled the length of the pitch to Allen who fired past the keeper. GOAL HITCHIN! Allen with her fifth of the day assisted by none other than the Assist Queen Colyer. The experience of the Canaries shone throughout the game today, however credit where credit is due, Bury gave the Canaries an extremely challenging game. Three wins in a row for the Canaries who are growing stronger as the weeks pass by. Player’s player was awarded to Jarrard and Manager’s player was awarded to Mercer.

Our regular opponents of Stevenage & Watford have appeared in round three on 21st November 2021.

Hitchin Town Womens FC XI v Watford Ladies Development
Hitchin Town Womens FC Canaries v Stevenage Ladies First

However before all of that:
Sunday 24th October 2021, 14:00 kick off

Beds and Herts Womens Football League, Division 1:
Bedford Ladies Development v Hitchin Town Womens FC XI
Allen Park, Old Ford End Road, Bedford MK40 4LY

Beds and Herts Womens Football League, Division 2:
Hitchin Town Womens FC Canaries v Evergreen Eagles Women
Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club, Chambers Lane, Ickleford, SG5 3YA

Thank you for the continued support of our women’s section.

BY ROY IZZARD