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WEEKLY BULLETIN – 23RD AUGUST

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FIXTURES

  • Saturday 24th August League Home to Kettering kick-off 3.00pm. You are advised to buy tickets online but you can buy tickets on the day from the match day office by card only.  Read the preview of tomorrow’s game here with all the useful information ahead of your trip to Top Field: https://hitchintownfc.club/preview-kettering-town/.  We are pleased to welcome Mad Squirrel Brewery back for tomorrow’s match so make sure you head over and see them next to the main stand and grab a drink.
  • Monday 26th August League Away to Barwell kick-off 3.00pm. Coach leaves at 11.00am.

BEDFORD AT TOP FIELD
If you are unable to travel to Barwell but want your Bank Holiday Monday football fix Bedford are playing Bishops Stortford at Top Field in the Southern League Central Division kick-off 3.00pm. The new artificial pitch at Bedford is not yet ready and we are pleased to help out our near neighbours.

HOME LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST KETTERING LAST SEASON
We played Kettering on Saturday 27th January and lost 1-0 to a 32nd minute goal from Daniel Jarvis. The attendance was 725. Kettering also knocked us out of the FA Cup at Top Field with another 1-0 victory.

Our team in the league game was as follows—

Charlie Horlock, captain, Josh Popoola, Layne Eadie, (Bradley Bell), Toby Syme, Stanley Georgiou, Kye Tearle, Kavan Cotter, (Jack Snelus), Stephen Gleeson, Dan Idiakhoa, Nathan Frater, (Thomas Blennerhassett), Finley Wilkinson. Substitutes not used- Isaac Galliford, John Freeman.

MANAGER’S NOTES BY BRETT DONNELLY
A week is a long time in football and this week seems like it’s been going for about a month!

Being the worlds worst loser, it was an odd feeling after the Telford game. I was so proud of the lads for the effort and application. We deserved at least a point from that game but it wasn’t to be. We gave the performance I was proud to manage over. Hard work, fight, tenacity, quality and composure. I saw what we wanted coming to fruition on the pitch. So, if we are to lose, lose like that. There were some dubious decisions against us which didn’t help as well. 4 goals away from home and nothing to show is hard to swallow and I don’t want us to be gallant losers. Brave old Hitchin, so unlucky blah blah blah. We are a lot better than that and we showed it. Some great performances came out of it. Coree and Vinny were brilliant up top, Toby came in and did well. Forbsey controlled large parts of the game from midfield along with JD. Biggest plus though was Brooksy. He’s been named captain because he’s a top player but also someone I trust and a lad who wants to win. That’s infectious. I want a changing room of winners and him to lead them. He’s shown great character around the place even when he couldn’t play. Some of them are getting stuck into the manager, something I will have to nip in the bud!!! Great to see him score 2 and take the game by the scruff just gutted it wasn’t in a winning performance.

Tuesday allowed us to ring the changes (at last) and we comprehensively beat a Hertford side from the league below. It could have been a lot more but for us to win at home and keep a clean sheet it was massively important. Also great to have Glees back in the side. His experience and winning mentality is exactly what we need. Hopefully he can steer clear of trouble.

Once again here’s an injury round up..

  • Fernando Bell had a scan last Thursday, received the results Friday and sadly needs an op to repair the ACL and MCL in his knee. That’s his season done before it starts for us. Gutted would be an understatement for both him and us. His positivity around the place is going to be missed as well as his undoubted quality. Hopefully we can get him back next season. I am sure he will come back stronger than before.
  • Shane Bush is waiting to see the surgeon on what the next steps are for him. He’s not finished yet and if everything goes to plan we may see him in the new year.
  • Henry Snee is due in to train next week. We are hoping that we can get him out on loan by the end of September.
  • Rio Deall can’t shake his knee issues and may need a scan. We are going to reassess this next week.
  • Lewis Barker has a groin issue and is out of tomorrow’s game.
  • Connor Vincent has an ongoing groin issue we are managing.
  • Liam Brooks picked up a knock Tuesday and is touch and go for tomorrow.
  • Alex Kpapke came through training and is available.

We nearly get back to full numbers then someone else goes down. It’s a little infuriating but that’s life. Jhai Dhillion came in to help us out as we were light on numbers Tuesday. He did a great job and is going to help Arlesey Town out for the next few weeks on dual reg. He’s happy to help us as and when we need him but can’t commit fully.

We welcome Sam Caiger on loan from Dartford Fc. Sam is a product of the West Ham academy and a player who can play in numerous positions. He is coming back from injury and is someone we hope to help get valuable minutes while helping us get some points on the board.

We are trying to get a couple of others in before next weeks FA cup game and should have some announcements in the next week or so.

FA CUP
You will probably know by now that we have been drawn at home to Berkhamsted in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup. The game will be at Top Field on Saturday 31st August kick-off 3.00pm.

The only other time we have played Berkhamsted in the FA Cup was in 1987 when we were beaten 3-1 away from home.

HERTS CHARITY CUP
Our reward for beating Hertford 3-0 on Tuesday is a home quarter final against St Albans. The date will be notified when agreement has been reached.

COMMUNITY UPDATE BY MARK BURKE
Hitchin Town Community Football Club

The Arena will be entering its final week of football holiday camps with first team player, Stephen Gleeson coaching being joined by Lewis Franklin.

There are still places available at the Arena next week Tuesday to Thursday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Please see the flyer below for more details of our future camps at The Arena

Monday evenings from 5-6pm we host a Junior Ability Counts session for children aged between 7 and 16 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The course runs for 7 weeks.

Wednesday evenings from 5.30-6.30pm we host a Primary Coaching Clinic for children aged between 5 and 12 years old those that are just starting to play football and, also a specific goalkeeping course called Safe Hands for children of all ages and abilities.

Roy Izzard Tribute
In March the Club played Luton Town in a Testimonial match in recognition of Club Secretary Roy Izzard’s 50 plus years’ service to Hitchin Town Football Club.

The match was well attended and there were many former Canary players, club officials and volunteers celebrating Roy’s achievement.

On the night many messages of congratulations were filmed along with other messages sent in by former players that could not attend the night itself.

Volunteer club videographer Jake Culverhouse filmed the messages on the night and then created the tribute film which you can access on this link https://youtu.be/d15irTtTiyw or visit our YouTube channel @HitchinTownFC

Tomorrow, at half time Roy will be presented with mementoes by Mark Liddiard representing the Football Association as they recognise and celebrate Roy’s service to the Club.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 21st August we hosted F2 Academy at Hitchin Town FC in our belated first pre-season friendly.

We got off to the worst possible start as we went 2-0 down in the first 10 minutes after a really sloppy opening period of the match. The players started to grow into the game as the half went on and Rushaun Cross had a chance to reduce the deficit from the spot but unfortunately missed this opportunity. However this did not keep him down and before half time he scored a really good solo goal to bring us in at 2-1 down at Half Time.

Second half we started really well with two quick goals from Archie Oaten and William Mcniel to give us a 3-2 lead. Then F2 started to get back into the game and equalised with a long range shot. The players showed great character again and within a few minutes Rushuan added his second of the game to restore the lead and then late on after some good pressing Jack Brewer completed the scoring to make the final score 5-3.

We are hoping to add some more friendlies to our schedule before we start our league campaign in mid September.

If you would like to be a part of the academy or for further information please register your details using this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

BY ROY IZZARD