WEEKLY BULLETIN – 25 SEPTEMBER
Fixtures
vs Takeley (A) – Saturday 26 September (3pm KO)
On Saturday 26th September we make our first ever visit to Takeley in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy kick-off 3.00pm. Takeley are currently 10th in the Isthmian League Division 1 North. They have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their7 games with a goal difference of 11-14. Their attendances have been 114, 137. 175 and 127 so it is likely our large away following will produce a much higher crowd than usual. Match day details are as follows—
The ground is 31.7 miles from Hitchin and the journey time is just over one hour. We will be playing in our home colours of yellow and green.
- Admission prices: adults £10, children under 18 £5 and concessions £5.
- Cash and card are accepted at the turnstiles, bar and food window.
- 50/50 and raffle are cash only.
- There is no extra time and the game will go straight to penalties.
- Prize money is £2,450 with £625 for the losers.
vs Leighton Town (H) – Tuesday 29 September (7.45pm KO)
On Tuesday 29th September we are at home to Leighton Town in a league game kick-off 7.45pm. Leighton have won one game, drawn two and lost four and are 18th in the league table so this is an important game. A repeat of last year’s home performance in the league against Leighton would be most welcome when we won 5-0.
Manager’s Notes
FA Cup Exit to Leiston
On Saturday we had FA Cup action at home to Leiston. I felt we started the first 15 minutes looking to attack and play with an intensity and we were able to stop Leiston getting a foothold in the game as we looked to control it. Leiston always looked threatening during this period but these were more from moments of lapses in concentration. Leiston then grew into the game and they began to get s foothold and control proceedings. They moved the ball extremely well and their movement was difficult to contain. They managed to take a deserved lead after a low cross was put in at the back post. Leiston continued to cause us problems and looked likely to add a second. We were able to get in at 1-0 down.
At half time we made a substitution and a tactical change to the way we were going to approach the second half. We needed to nullify our visitors but we needed to also make sure we were still able to cause them problems and get them defending.
We started the second half and the instructions given at half time were clearly taken on. Despite Leiston still having some good opportunities and us having to defend we were able to edge a well contested game. We looked more attacking when we went forward and we were able to get Leiston defending. We were able to equalise and we were probably all thinking about a winner but credit to Leiston they grew into the game late on as we started to fade out. The game looked to be heading to a replay, which on the balance of play would have been a fair result but a moment of madness at the back from Ciaren allowed Leiston to score an added time winner.
Heartbreak for all of us as although a trip to a very good Leiston team on Tuesday would have been extremely tough, we deserved the opportunity after the effort we had put in to get back level.
Midweek Loss at Bury Town
On Tuesday we had to shake off last minute heartbreak to bounce back against high flying Bury Town. Bury were full of confidence having won all but one of their games in all competitions. I was delighted with the way we approached this game. The players followed the game plan and we were able to nullify a very strong Bury team to limited chances, after having to cope with a lot of pressure early on. We were then able to get a foothold in the game and we were able to control the speed of the game. As usual we were able to get into plenty of promising positions but lacked the cutting edge needed to cause problems. We then got caught on the ball and a well worked/quick Bury attack resulted in a goal and this showed the difference between the two teams. Bury would get into advanced positions and shoot or cross early and this caused our defenders/goalkeeper plenty of problems whereas we would get into similar positions and not shoot or take too long to cross and these would get blocked or easily defended. When we went a goal down this did not stop us and we continued to follow the game plan.
At half time apart from the score I was delighted with the way we had played. We were very organised without the ball, we worked incredibly hard for each other and then when we had the ball we showed the courage and bravery to play some excellent passes to set up attacks. We needed more of the same in the second half with early decisions in the attacking third and some earlier shots/crosses.
We started the second half strong and despite Bury working extremely hard and always looking a threat I felt we had control of the game but could not find the threat needed when it mattered. We continued to push for an equaliser but other than a flurry of chances late on we weren’t able to do enough to get the goal.
We deserved a point but then again we did not do enough in the final third to earn a goal.
Thank you for excellent travelling support again, we had excellent numbers behind the group and I hope you could all see a team that despite the loss gave everything until the last kick of the game.
We need a win but we also have a long way to go and performances like this should show we are improving each week and when we can get the final third right we will score the goals and pick up the points.
FA Trophy Game vs Takeley
Saturday we travel to Takeley as we look to start our FA Trophy campaign. Although this competition is not a priority for us this season we will be looking to continue the momentum from our performance on Tuesday and we will be looking to get a win to take us into our league game on Tuesday.
I look forward to seeing our travelling support on Saturday.
Hosting Leighton Town on Tuesday
Tuesday we host Step 4 champions Leighton Town. Leighton have had a very good start to the season where they have been competitive in every game. They have played some of the top sides this season and have scored a good amount of goals, something we need to start doing!
Leighton will be looking to put right their last visit to Top Field and will have the extra bit between their teeth to get the win.
We need to make sure we can put together a performance similar to last season if we want to get something out of this difficult fixture.
Player News
- Temi Akinbusoye is suffering from a strain which will keep him out.
- Rio Deall is recovering from the injury he received against Kettering Town.
- Taylor Rhiney is cup tied for Saturday.
- Callum Kane is unavailable due to work commitments.
- Boni Pagano is on a dual reg with Enfield FC.
- Kye Tearle has decided to leave the club this week. Kye was my first signing when I was appointed manager after a brief spell away from the club. Kye was a big part of our squad during this period and has been a key part of the success we have had both on and off the pitch. As gutted as I am to see Kye leave the club, I am sure you will all join me in wishing Kye all the best for the future.
New Signing
We have signed Lloyd Asamoah-Junior following his release from Luton Town FC. Lloyd has been training with us for a few weeks now and he will come straight into our squad for Saturday. Lloyd is a very attacking wide player and we look forward to seeing him in a Hitchin shirt.
Academy Update
In our development team cup fixture we were handed a home walkover to progress to the next round.
We now start league action next week with the elite team away and the development team at home.
For further information email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk
Attendance Update
As ever we are very grateful for your excellent support this season. We are sixth in the attendance league table with an average of 699.
Community Update
October Holiday Courses
The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps
We will be running a Football Camp at the Arena in the October half term from Tuesday 27th October for 3 days to Thursday 29th October 2026.
The camp will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm with an option of a late pick up at 4.30pm
Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps
We will also be running a Multi-Activity Camp at Preston Primary School in the October half term from Tuesday 27th October for 3 days to Thursday 29th October 2026.
The camp will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm. (See Flyer)
Coaching Courses at the Arena
Junior Ability Counts
The Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock start from 5pm until 6pm on a Monday and from 5.30pm – 6.30pm on a Wednesday. The sessions are open to children from 5 – 16 years old with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
The courses started on Monday 7th September and Wednesday 9th September and have a further 4 weeks to run until 19th and 21st October respectively.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
The very popular Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock start at 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
The course began on Wednesday 9th September and will run for a further 4 weeks until 21st October
Coaching in Schools
We start the new school term delivering coaching sessions in our local schools with sessions taking place at:
- Preston Junior – Wraparound Care
- Oughton Primary – Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
- Icknield Infants – After School Clubs
- Woolgrove – Lunch Time Clubs
- St Mary’s – PE Lesson
- Brandles – PE Lessons
- Samuel Lucas – After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After Schoo
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Mark Burke at info@htcfc.co.uk
The Boys Done Good
Jake Hutchinson scored a 90th +7 minute winning goal last Saturday for Tamworth in the National League match against Wealdstone that had former Canary Danny Payne as the Assistant Manager.
Another former Canary to score a late winning goal recently was Finley Wilkinson for Bedford Town in their away match against Worksop Town.
Jay Da Silva the brother of former Canary Rio Da Silva was the toast of Coventry last week when he scored the only goal of the game in the first Premier League victory for the Sky Blues which made Club photographer Peter Else very happy.
Jamal Lowe continued his fantastic start to the season with yet another winning goal for Sheffield Wednesday against Salford City in the EFL Trophy.
Mark Burke
Walking Football Update
The next walking football session is this Friday, 25th September. The past two Fridays have seen excellent numbers in attendance as we continue to spread the word and raise awareness of the benefits of walking football to anyone over the age of 45. Everyone welcome this evening 7-8pm at The Arena in Norton Road, Baldock.
Next Friday 2nd October there is a friendly match at home against Biggleswade United which will be played at The Arena in Baldock, kick off 7pm. On Saturday 10th October we travel to Buntingford in another friendly.
After this evening’s session, the next Friday evening walking session will be on Friday 16th October 7-8pm at the Arena.
Barry Swain
Men’s Mental Health Pool Competition
Our regular supporter Katie Wilson wanted to advertise this forthcoming event.
