WEEKLY BULLETIN: 26TH DECEMBER

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 27 December vs Barton Rovers (A) – Southern League

On Saturday 27 December we make the short journey to Barton Rovers for a league game kick-off 3.00pm.

Admission prices are adults £9, concessions (including 14-17 year olds) £6 and under 13’s free.

It would be great to see a large Hitchin contingent at Barton.

The next fixture is another local derby at home to Stotfold on Saturday 3 January kick-off 3.00pm.

Manager’s Notes

Last Weekend vs Rayners Lane

Last Saturday we hosted Rayners Lane and despite their league position we knew this was going to be another difficult fixture. Rayners Lane had already had some good results but this was their first game with their new manager and we knew we would not be facing the low confidence team that the league table suggests.

We started the game on the front foot and although we were not at our best we were able to control the first half. Rayners Lane had one opportunity in the first half where they hit the crossbar from a header from a corner. We created some really good chances to take the lead but were unable to convert these with many of the shots missing the target. Kye Tearle did force the keeper into a good save. Just before half time we took a deserved lead through Callum Kane after some good pressure allowed him to go 1-1 with the keeper to smash home. This was an excellent time to score as it was just before half time and it meant not only did we have control of the ball but we also had control of the game.

Half time and the message to the players was to make sure we limited set plays as this was their biggest threat as well  as having security behind the ball to limit counter attacks. We also wanted to improve our passing quality and speed of the passing to cause more problems.

Unfortunately we started the game slowly and a poor decision from Callum Kane allowed Rayners Lane to counter attack and another poor decision from Toby Syme to come charging out of defence allowed the Rayners Lane player to go through on goal to equalise. This was the perfect start to the half for them as it gave them new belief and confidence. This showed in the next minutes as they had new energy and momentum as their goal had come at such a good time. We then started to gain some control again and it was not long before Taylor Rhiney gave us the lead. We then had some good opportunities to extend this lead but Taylor Rhiney and Josh Coldicott-Stevens turning down the shots meant the chances went begging. This left Rayners Lane in the game and with a rare attack since we had scored they equalised after a poorly defended set play. This goal stopped the planned substitutions and we had to change what we were going to do to try and be more attack minded in the latter stages. We did not manage to create the chances or find the goal we needed and this was mainly due to the lack of quality in the key moments with many poor decisions or passes being over hit.

We had to settle for a disappointing draw and although Rayners Lane had their new manager bounce this was definitely 2 points dropped. I was really disappointed with the way we drew the game as well as although we were not at our best we scored a goal at a good time and if we had seen out the first 10 minutes of the second half then I believe we would have won. We also then took the lead again and should have been able to see the game out from this position. I am also not happy with the goals we conceded as our defence has been really good this season but both these goals were down to individual errors which then cost us 2 extra points.

Despite the disappointment we need to remember the position we are in and the run we are on. We now need to make sure we are back to our best for the local derby against Barton Rovers.

Thank you again for your excellent support.

Meeting with Barton Rovers

On Saturday we travel to Barton Rovers who were play off semi finalists last season and are currently back in the playoffs this season. We drew with Barton in the home game where we should have seen out a 1-0 win but an injury to keeper Josh Bowler meant we had to settle for a 1-1 draw with George Morrall in goal.

Both teams would have improved since this game and I am expecting a much different game to the one that happened back in August.

Barton have had a lot of high scoring games and this was shown in their last game as they drew 4-4 with Biggleswade Town FC. We know how dangerous Barton can be and nothing but our best will be good enough to get the points. Barton also have the league’s top goalscorer and our defence will have to make sure it’s at its best to keep him out.

We have been able to train this week and watch Saturday’s game back and I am hoping you will see a much better version of this group this week.

As it’s a local derby please turn up in your numbers to get behind the team and let’s make sure we bring plenty of positive noise and energy to the game.

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Player News

• Josh Bowler is now in a position where we will be looking to get him some game time at another club as he continues his recovery.
• George Morrall remains out injured.
• Blue Joy will be back in the squad for Barton Rovers.
• Charlie Briggs will be back in the squad for Barton Rovers.
• Toby Syme is now on holiday and will miss the next two games.
• Josh Coldicott-Stevens is away on holiday and will miss Barton Rovers.

Academy Update

If you would like to be part of the academy or would like to find out more information on what we offer please register your details using this link – https://extranet.wearescl.co.uk/SCLSPEnquiry/

Michael Jones

Thank You Message

I received the following email from supporter Katie Wilson. I am reproducing it because the message is so relevant. There are so many people who contribute to making Hitchin Town FC the really special club that it is. As Katie says so much dedication is involved and I would like to add my thanks to a truly special group of people

Hi Roy, 

I just wanted to send my warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone at Hitchin Town. This time of year always reminds me how much dedication goes into keeping things running — not just on match days, but in all the unseen hours, late nights, early mornings and moments squeezed in around work, family and everything else life throws at us.

I know how many of you give your time because you care deeply about this club and this community. Hitchin Town is a truly special place, and that’s entirely down to the people who pour their energy, passion and commitment into it week after week. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

Thank you for everything you do, for the spirit you bring, and for the pride you help create around the club. Here’s hoping that when May comes around, we’ll have even more to celebrate together.

Best wishes and thanks, Katie

Boxing Day Results

Over the last eight years results of our Boxing day fixtures have been very disappointing. So it would be great to reverse the trend at Barton.

26/12/2024 – lost to Bedford 2-1 away
26/12/2023 – lost to Royston 1-0 away
26/12/2022 – lost to Kings Langley  2-4 home
27/12/2021   won against Royston 1-0 away
2020 – no game
26/12/2019 – lost to Biggleswade Town 2-0 away
26/12/2018 – lost to Biggleswade Town 2-0-home
26/12/2017 – lost to Royston – away 1-2 away

Merchandise

Please visit our online club shop to see the extensive range of club merchandise that you can purchase.

View the full range here: https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/merchandise

Ticketing Update: A Reminder

Half-Season Tickets

There is still time to buy your half season ticket as the first game covered is next Saturday’s local derby with Stotfold. So below is all the information you require should you wish to take advantage of this chance to save money watching Hitchin—-

Half season tickets are now on sale online, and will give entry to our last nine League games of the season, starting with the game against Stotfold on Saturday 3^rd January 2026. They give a massive discount off of normal online and match day admission prices – in fact, buying one of these then matches the cheapest entry prices of any team of the division we are currently in!

*  Child Under-13 Season Tickets can only be bought in conjunction with an Adult or Concession Season Ticket. They cannot be bought in isolation. If you are a current Adult or Concession Season Ticket Holder and wish to buy a Half Season Ticket for an accompanying Child, please email tickets@hitchintownfc.club for assistance.

These will make a great Christmas present. They can be ordered either as a Plastic Card (allow 7-14 days for delivery), or as an Apple Pass Book or Google Wallet (for Android phones) – delivery of this is instant to a phone and then can be forwarded on.

PLEASE REMEMBER (ESSENTIAL): If you are buying the ticket for someone else,

You MUST use the “Edit Details” box to enter the name, date of birth and phone number (if different) of the person who will be the Cardholder (attendee). This ensures that the correct name will be on the season ticket before production. Season tickets not in the name of the attendee will not be valid.

Flexi Tickets

Also remember that if you cannot attend games on a regular basis but will attend a few games, or if you have friends wanting to accompany you to a game, the Flexi Ticket also gives a significant reduction off normal entry prices.

Available for Adults (£58), or Concessions (£40) – these give a five-ticket package for entry to League games this season. You can either use them all yourself or bring four friends to a game – the choice is yours. Please be aware though, there are no refunds on unused portions of the package at the end of the season, nor will they be transferable over to next season.

Interview with Ciaren Jones

I had my  latest interview with club captain Ciaren Jones before the Rayners Lane game.

In case you missed it on our social media platforms it is reproduced below:

Club captain Ciaren Jones has agreed to do regular interviews this season. The first was in August and the second was in October, so it was time for the third instalment and I caught up with Ciaren this week.

In his first interview he mentioned the number of new players we had signed which he felt was positive for the club. He mentioned the extra experience we now had  but he warned supporters it would take time for the players to get to know each others games and asked for patience saying the title was not won in August. Recent results have vindicated Ciaren’s comments as players are now gelling so much better than earlier in the season.

In his second interview he said our priority was to gain promotion and anything else would be failure. He stressed our mentality was good and the squad depth was proving important. So on to the third interview which took place before the Rayners Lane game. Ciaren felt that after the Baldock game on 7 August we should have won every game. We had not lost any game where we scored first and when we make a fast start to a game we are usually successful. Ciaren feels we have better quality than any other team in the league but that alone is not enough. We need to work hard  and battle for the ball. It is not easy to switch it on all the time but we need to meet high standards. It is also important we guard against any complacency and the management really reflect this message.

Ciaren praised our management team for their attention to detail. Each Thursday the video of the previous game is analysed and the players are told what worked well and are also told how things could be improved. Ciaren says this has proved very helpful. After the Northwood game when we struggled to break down their low block work has been done on how to break teams down. Players now make unselfish runs and there is far more movement than before. This has benefitted the strikers and Taylor Rhiney is now looking much more dangerous than before. Another change has been to play Kye Tearle and Lewis Franklin in more advanced roles and they have responded with plenty of goals. Each player receives their own video of the game and Ciaren always watches his own performance back to see where he can improve.

The management have also done a lot of work on set pieces and that applies to both defending them and looking to score from them. Ciaren says we are now defending long throws in a different way as we are corners while there is more variety in our own corners.

We now have the best defensive record in the league and Ciaren says this is because we now have a very experienced backline whose ages range from mid 20s to mid 30s. When Blue Joy was playing he had those experienced players around him to help his development.

Our bench is now much stronger and it is frustrating for the players on the bench but they are working hard to get in the team and there is no dissent in the ranks and the team spirit is really good. The players have bonding nights and they are a tight-knit group.

We continue to set monthly points totals and Ciaren says we are currently ahead of schedule. Consistency will be the key and the players are just focused on the next game and are not looking too far ahead, with our feet firmly on the ground. We will not win every game although that is the aim.

Finally Ciaren again thanked our great supporters. The players love playing in front of big crowds and they enjoy hearing the youngsters with their drum. Ciaren is particularly happy that our home form has improved as this rewards our supporters. The large away support is also a great boost for the team.

Ciaren and all the players  wish our supporters a very merry Christmas.

As ever many thanks to Ciaren for his analysis of the season so far. His insight provides supporters with greater understanding of what is happening on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Roy Izzard