FIXTURE

Monday 26th December 2022 Home to Kings Langley League kick-off 1.00pm. Tickets must be purchased online.

Please note there will be very limited parking for supporters at the ground for this match. The reasons are both sets of players and officials will be arriving by car together with the match officials and volunteers while there will be no parking on the grass area at the far end of the car park due to the recent snow and heavy rain.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

RUSHALL OLYMPIC

We were fortunate to be one of the few games that survived the artic conditions thanks to Rushall’s artificial surface. We arrived at the ground full of confidence but had suffered an early blow when Charlie Horlock had rung up sick on the morning of the game. I would like to thank Tiernan Parker who stepped in for Charlie at really short notice and performed well.

I thought we were excellent in the first half. We got in to good positions showing the confidence gained from four consecutive victories and we took the game to Rushall. Unfortunately we failed to pull the trigger and did not make the keeper work. Then we were punished in the second minute of stoppage time when Rushall took the lead.

We soon were 2-0 down at the start of the second half due to a wonderfully constructed goal but credit to our players for their response and we got back in to the game with a goal 15 minutes from time. We pushed for the equalizer but were undone with another good counter attacking move which resulted in a decisive third goal.

I was still pleased with our character and the overall display despite the result. We just lacked the finishing touch.

KINGS LANGLEY

It seems a long time since we played at Top Field (28th November) and it would be great to see a bumper Boxing Day attendance to welcome the team back home. We will be aiming to start another unbeaten run and we will be trying to produce entertaining football.

Kings Langley have recently appointed Chris Winton as their new manager after a successful spell as assistant manager at St Albans. He has already started to make new signings including two ex – Canaries in Isaac Galliford and Samuel Okoye-Ahaneku. They both served us well. Kings Langley are fighting for their lives in the relegation zone so it will a tough fixture.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

On behalf of myself, the management and players I would like to wish all Hitchin supporters a merry Christmas and happy new year—we really appreciate your great support.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

  • We have extended Tobi Adeyemo’s loan period to 18th January 2023.
  • We have signed goalkeeper Charlie Patmore as extra cover for Charlie Horlock.
  • Charlie Horlock has recovered from illness and returns to the squad for the kings Langley game.
  • Bradley Bell has recovered from illness and will return to the squad for the Kings Langley game.
  • Finley Wilkinson will be in the squad for the Kings Langley game.
  • Steve Cawley faces a late fitness test before the Kings Langley game.
  • Jack Morrell is still on course to return in early January.
  • Toby Syme, Steve Gleeson and Kye Tearle are all in the squad for the Kings Langley game.

HITCHIN TOWN FC SUPPORTS SHELTER

A reminder that our fixture against Kings Langley on Boxing Day sees us support the Shelter “No Home Kit” Campaign. Hitchin Town, alongside many other clubs across the country will be wearing their away kit at a home fixture during the festive period and we have chosen the Kings Langley game. We encourage all of our fans attending the game to wear our away colours and donate to Shelter online https://nohomekit.shelter.org.uk/

The Club will make a £10 donation for every away shirt and hoodie bought from our Club Shop or online during the month of December.

BOXING DAY FIXTURES

I have looked back at the last ten years of Boxing Day fixtures. 9 games have been played with the 2020 game a victim of covid. We have been unlucky to have had six away games and just three at Top Field. Our away record is dismal with two draws and four defeats while at home we have won two and lost one. So hopefully a return to Top Field for the first time since 2016 will inspire the team.

2021 Royston away 0-1 (Att. 709)

2020 No game due to covid

2019 Biggleswade away 0-2 (Att. 390)

2018 Biggleswade away 0-2 (Att. 693)

2017 Royston away 1-2 (Att. 493)

2016 Dunstable home 2-0 (Att. 613)

2015 Dunstable away 0-0 (Att. 291)

2014 Arlesey home 2-0 (Att. 490)

2013 Arlesey away 0-0 (Att. 526)

2012 Kettering home 3-4 (Att. 428)

MERCHANDISE NEWS BY PAUL SPRAGUE

Thanks for everyone’s support in purchasing presents from the Top Field club shop and online over the past few weeks despite us missing the opportunity of the Barwell game.

We still have plenty on offer for you to come and buy on Boxing Day with your Christmas money! We have all of our usual items and still have our 2023 wall calendars on offer for £6.

We also have a small number of copies of a brand new book:

‘They Played for David Pleat at Luton Town – Volume 1’

This book features several ex Hitchin Players and the photo (see attachment) below shows the book being promoted by ex Hitchin manager Alan West alongside Mick Harford. The books are available from the Club Shop for a special price of just £15 (RRP £19.95).

 

CHRISTMAS COMPARISON

Last year after 23 games we had won 5, drawn 5 and lost 13 with just 20 points and we were second from bottom in the league table. This Christmas after 23 games we have won 9 games, drawn 6 and lost 8 and have 33 points and are 6th in the table. It means we have made progress and we are also playing a more attacking style of football. It would be great to see a large crowd at Top Field on Boxing Day to celebrate this improvement.

Finally on behalf of everyone at Hitchin Town FC I hope you have a great Christmas—and please Santa can we have three points!

BY ROY IZZARD