WEEKLY BULLETIN: 27TH MARCH
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 28 March vs Flackwell Heath (A) – Southern League
On Saturday 28th March Hitchin make their first ever visit to Flackwell Heath for a league game. Please note that the kick-off is at 1.00pm.
Admission prices are adults £12, concessions £6 and under 18’s free.
Flackwell Heath are 13th in the table with 13 wins, 3 draws and 15 defeats. They are also 13th in the current form table with 2 wins, a draw and 3 defeats in their last 6 games. Their average attendance is 184 which is the sixth highest in the division.
On Good Friday 3rd April we are at home to London Lions kick-off 3.00pm. There will be a full preview in next week’s bulletin.
London Lions Decision
Many of you will have seen the Southern League’s decision this week. They notified us late on Tuesday afternoon (three hours before the match at Welwyn Garden City), that our abandoned away fixture from 6 December is to be replayed. We are awaiting further details from the League as to the reasoning behind this decision – upon receipt of that information we will complete a review and then expect to be in a position to appeal the League’s decision with the FA.
It is important to recognise that there are two issues being dealt with following the original fixture:
- Any incidents that occurred on the pitch relating to player disciplinary action – the FA investigation continues into this and we are supporting them with the provision of any evidence.
- The issue of the events resulting in the match being abandoned – it is this matter that falls in the Southern League’s jurisdiction and it is this that the Southern League ruled on this week.
We recognise the frustration that the lack of resolution on this matter has caused amongst supporters but would like to reassure you that we are doing all we can to ensure both these issues are closed out as soon as possible and will vigorously defend our position.
Manager’s Notes
Last Weekend’s Win over Aylesbury
Saturday we welcomed Aylesbury United to Top Field. Aylesbury are in a relegation battle but a win and a draw against Enfield FC and Thame United had given them a small gap from the drop and they arrived at the game with the confidence of making it three unbeaten.
We rotated the squad from the AFC Dunstable game with Liam Brooks, Kavan Cotter, Toby Syme and Diogo Freitas-Gouveia dropping out and Charlie Briggs, Fernando Bell-Toxtle, Josh Coldicott-Stevens and Taylor Rhiney coming in to the starting 11.
The game found a pattern very early with us dominating the ball and playing the game in the Aylesbury half and Aylesbury looking to be difficult to break down and play for set plays and counter attacks. We had to be really patient with our build up play and look for opportunities to break down a stubborn team. We tried to keep the ball moving to look for openings while also trying to work the Aylesbury team very hard to contain us. We created a few opportunities but some good saves from the keeper kept the score at 0-0. We did take the lead after a corner found Josh Coldicott-Stevens on the edge of the box who smashed home to give us the lead. We continued in a similar pattern but we were unable to find a second. Aylesbury had been limited to nothing the whole game and Tyler McGregor in goal had been a spectator.
Half Time we were happy with how the game had gone but were disappointed we had not been ruthless enough to add to the one goal we had. We needed a second goal to put the game beyond any doubt.
Second half and the worst possible start when Aylesbury scored with their only attack of the game. This rocked us because we had been in such control but we now needed to find the character to keep going and make sure once we had opened Aylesbury up that we had the quality to produce the goals. Less than 10 minutes later a well worked throw in which was discussed at half time by Josh Bickerstaff came off with Lewis Franklin able to give us the lead and this was followed by a great pass from Ciaren Jones who found the run of Fernando Bell-Toxtle to slot home. This gave us total control and in the remaining 30 minutes we pushed for more goals but were unable to add to the score.
Another very good win in front of another amazing crowd of 946 which made the day even more enjoyable.
Midweek Draw at Welwyn Garden City
Tuesday we travelled to Welwyn Garden City who have become the draw specialists. Welwyn had only lost 1 game in their last 9 and boasted the 3rd best defence in the league and were 4th in the league for least games lost.
This game was always going to be difficult because of Welwyn’s record as well as their experience within their squad. The game was made more difficult by the conditions. The pitch is notoriously the most difficult pitch to play on in the division and then to add to this a horrible cross wind with rain added to an awful evening.
We asked the players to be brave on the ball and have the confidence to try and play our usual game but early on we could tell this was going to be near impossible and the risk of losing a goal in what was going to be a tight game did not outweigh the reward. This meant the game resulted in a long ball, scrappy battle where second balls were important but in the key moments the pitch was harming both teams to find the quality needed to get the all important goal.
We played the conditions extremely well and defended superbly to limit Welwyn’s strengths but we were unable to find the moment needed. Liam Brooks and Josh Jackman had our best efforts from open play in the first half and Ciaren Jones’ free kick hit the post right on half time.
Half time we wanted to make sure we were more compact both in and out of possession as the pitch was not reliable and we could not afford to be caught open but we also spoke about some ways we felt we could open up opportunities to find the moment that just needed a bit of quality to give us the lead.
Second half again was not a great watch, despite our effort and determination to keep battling against strong opposition. We were unable to find the moment of magic needed. We had a few half chances but our best chance came late on when Taylor Rhiney’s effort was superbly blocked.
I can only apologise to our huge travelling support that turned up in terrible weather for such an awful watch but we could only play the conditions that presented us and I am happy with the players who were able to adapt their game and keep a clean sheet and I am just gutted we were not able to find that one moment of magic to get the 3 points.
I would also like to apologise to everyone for my dismissal from the game. I let the emotions of the way I was spoken to/treated by the officials get the better of me which resulted in an outburst that I am not proud of.
Trip to Flackwell Heath
Saturday we travel to Flackwell Heath in what will be another difficult away game. Flackwell when they came to Top Field were very organised and had plenty of quality within their squad and in the opening 10 minutes had two huge chances to take the lead. We were able to score against the run of play and this enabled us to go on to win 2-0.
I am expecting another difficult game as Flackwell will be looking to finish the season strong.
We need to just keep finding ways to get over the line with maximum points and we need to make sure we pick up as many points as possible between now and the end of the season and see where it takes us.
Player News
- Josh Bowler is out for the rest of the season.
- Kye Tearle has broken his toe and will be out for a few weeks.
- George Morrall will be playing for Eynesbury Rovers this weekend.
- Cole Butler will continue to play for Eynesbury Rovers.
- Ryan Kelly has joined us on loan from MK Dons. Ryan will provide cover in the goalkeeping position until the end of the season.
Academy Update
Monday 30th March we have our next open event which will be at Hitchin Town FC.
If you would like to be part of the academy or for further information please use this link
Or email Michael.jones@wearescl.co.uk
Michael Jones
Message from Our Chaplain
It’s been a difficult time for one of the biggest clubs in our country as Tottenham face relegation for the first time in nearly 50 years. What went wrong? Changes of managers, investments in the wrong players and a spirit of complacancy have all been part of the reason for one of the most spectacular falls from grace in recent times. Perhaps this is a good example of why we should never take things for granted? If we become too comfortable or over confident, things can begin to unravel. A situation made all the worse for Tottenham fans as their great rivals, Arsenal, sit at the top of the Prem. On a lighter note, we are now moving towards Easter, when we will leave behind the season on Lent and move into a time of great hope as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, bringing hope to all people. However you’re celebrating, may the joy and the hope of the season be with you and all those you love.
Community Update
Coaching Courses at the Arena
Easter Holiday Courses
The Arena, Baldock – Football Holiday Camps
We are holding our football holiday camps at the Arena, Baldock over both weeks of the Easter holidays starting on Tuesday 31st March to Thursday 2nd April for 3 days and Tuesday 7th April to Thursday 9th April.
Preston Primary School – Multi-Activity Holiday Camps
There will also be a multi-activity holiday camps at Preston Primary School over both weeks of the Easter holidays starting on Tuesday 31st March to Thursday 2nd April for 3 days and Tuesday 7th April to Thursday 9th April.
Coaching in Schools
We have started the new half-term delivering coaching sessions in our local schools with sessions taking place at:
- Preston Junior: Wraparound Care, Lunch Time Clubs and PPA
- Oughton Primary: Lunch Time & After School Clubs and PE Lessons
- Icknield Infants: After School Clubs and Morning Clubs
- St Mary’s: Morning and After School Clubs, PE Lessons & PPA Cover
- Woolgrove: Lunch Time Clubs
- Brandles: PE Lessons
- Samuel Lucas: After School Clubs everyday Monday – Friday (excluding Thursday)
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Josh Mollison on info@htcfc.co.uk
Mark Burke
Hitchin Town Women FC
Results
Hitchin Town Women FC 3 – 0 Sherrardswood
Sherrardswood 1 – 5 Hitchin Town Women FC
Baldock Town Development 0 – 4 HTWFC Canaries
Fixtures
Bedwell v Hitchin Town Women FC – Double Header
HTWFC Canaries v Welwyn United – LAST FIXTURE THIS SEASON
Callum Ellis