WEEKLY BULLETIN – 2ND DECEMBER
FIXTURES
- Saturday 3rd December Away to Basford League kick-off 12.30pm. Coach leaves at 8.45am.
- There is no midweek game.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH ADAM PARKER AND MARK BURKE
MICKLEOVER BY ADAM PARKER
Mark was away on Saturday so assistant manager Adam Parker was in charge of the team. These were his thoughts—
I thought this was probably our best performance of the season. I was really pleased as we had a tremendous work rate and took our chances really well and it meant we played with a smile on our faces. We were solid at the back, creative in midfield and our front four linked up really well. We dominated the game apart from a short spell either side of half time.
I am always very positive in my thinking and I do not dwell on mistakes, preferring to concentrate on the positives. So when we had a sticky patch earlier in the season I did not panic. We had a spate of critical injuries but the squad contains good players and I was confident we would turn the corner. I am always labelled as a ’’jack the lad’’ character but I do think deeply about the game. On Saturday despite the good performance I was always thinking how I could improve things. I think working hard and off the ball running is vital and this was really on display Saturday.
The return of Ciaren Jones has been influential while Lewis Barker’s return from suspension was also important. So many players are now playing really well and I would like to highlight how Steve Cawley is now showing his true prowess. He has had many injury problems but is now much fitter and has one of the best first touches at our level—he thinks ahead of other players.
We must keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard. With players to still come back in to the squad competition for places will be intense which will create the right sort of selection dilemmas for the management team.
ADAM PARKER
REDDITCH BY MARK BURKE
I left the team in safe hands on Saturday but had left my instructions and they obviously worked well as we won 4-1! I was able to listen to the game on HTFC Radio so thanks to Freddie and Marek.
I normally like to freshen things up when we have a Monday night game but I felt that the adrenaline that came from the win on Saturday would drive the players forward so I decided to play an unchanged team. The whole game was a very tight affair and Redditch showed just how good they are having lost just one away league game all season.
We took the lead late in the first half when Jack Snelus scored a very good goal which reminded me of the way Jimmy Greaves used to pass the ball in to the net. Unfortunately Redditch equalised on the stroke of half time so it was all square with all to play for in the second half. It remained a tight game of nip and tuck but we came up with the winner with a fine header from Ashley Hay.
I have to say that I was wary of having five home games in quick succession and I am delighted we managed to get 13 points out of a possible 15.
BASFORD BY MARK BURKE
I am looking forward to visiting another new ground on Saturday as we travel to Basford who are another team with an artificial pitch which ensures the game will go ahead. Like ourselves Basford are in a good run of form and are unbeaten in their last 4 games. I anticipate another tight game especially bearing in mind the earlier 0-0 draw with Basford at Top Field.
I want to keep our confidence high but not let complacency set in as we try to continue our good run. Like Adam said we must keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard.
MARK BURKE
PLAYER NEWS
- We will have the same squad for the Basford game as we did for Redditch which means new signing Tobi Adeyemo is available.
- Jack Morrell has had his stiches removed and is on track to return in early January.
- Toby Syme and Finley Wilkinson started light training on Monday and will hopefully join in team training next week.
- Kye Tearle is still having breathing difficulties and will not be available in the short term.
EX MANAGERS AT TOP FIELD
We are used to ex players coming to Top Field but on Monday we had two ex-managers present. Darren Salton and Colin Payne both looked really well and enjoyed the Hitchin victory.
HITCHIN MARVELS UNDER 10’S ENJOY BEING MASCOTS AT MICKLEOVER GAME
We had the following message from Carl Haslam
A huge thankyou for hosting the boys at Saturday’s home game against Mickelover – boys and parents had a great time – definitely got a few more fans!!.
Many thanks to all the staff and players that made this happen – the big smiles on the boys faces throughout the game was great to see.
Thanks again – very much appreciated.
Carl (on behalf of all at Hitchin Marvels U10 FC).
It is always good to get positive feedback and it is great to get our young players coming to Top Field.
MERCHANDISE NEWS BY PAUL SPRAGUE
Elite Sports Group – you may have seen in the national press that Hummel’s sole UK distributor (Elite Sports Group) has entered administration. This has affected dozens of teams across the football pyramid from Premier League to Non League. As you will appreciate, just a week on from this news, the situation is still evolving. What does this mean for Hitchin Town as Hummel are our kit and technical kit supplier? We will confirm in due course how this affects our ongoing relationship once we have had discussions with Hummel. In the short term it means the handful of items we had on order for the club shop will not be delivered. We are also unable to place any new orders for the time being although we do have stock of most items still available. Please come and look at the wide range of items all in stock in the club shop and online.
Hitchin Town Calendar – we have launched our Hitchin Town 2023 Wall Calendar priced at just £6. It is available online and will also be available in the Club Shop on 10th December.
ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 30th November we played away to Enfield Town FC. Due to injuries and illnesses, we were down to the bare bones but the lads gave 100% against a strong Enfield team, who were 3rd in the table.
The game started off as an even encounter with Enfield having most of the ball but the young canaries creating the best chances on the counter attack. In the 35th minute Enfield took the lead after a lapse in concentration at the back which was a real sucker punch after all the effort that had been put in. Half time we found ourselves 1-0 down. The second half we started slow and some good play by Enfield resulted in them taking a 2-0 lead. This spurred the canaries on and the final 30 minutes lots of chances were created and Enfield were put under a lot of pressure but Hitchin were unable to find the goals required.
All in all a very good performance with a stretched squad but lots of positives to build on for future games.
On Friday 23rd December we have another open training session at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU between 1pm – 3pm. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to find out more on what we offer and get to experience a small taste of what to expect from the Academy.
If you are interested in being part of the academy then please register your details here for further information. https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates
HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
There was one game this last Sunday
HTWFC Firsts vs St Margaretsbury, 27/11/2022
‘Today the Firsts hosted St Margaretsbury for their first league Game against them. The Firsts and Canaries had partnered up on a couple of occasions in friendlies last season and today was the first time it was a competitive fixture.
The game was slow to start with both teams enjoying equal possession. There were chances for both teams but it was the visitors who hit the back of the net first. A volley from the edge of the box saw it fire into the roof of the net. The visitors doubled their lead shortly afterwards with a loose ball squared across the box and tapped in at the far post.
The game started to get heated and the referee had no control and to be honest didn’t need to bother in turning up. He didn’t do anything all game. A number of reckless challenges went in on the First team players but the referee never saw one. Hitchin pulled a goal back through Spang who headed in after a cross from Radford. Shortly after Hitchin equalised through a shot from Beary that took a deflection off of Shackel’s shoulder. A challenge on Day was not seen again which then led to getting a talking to. A 50/50 challenge saw Radford pick up a yellow but rescinded after the game… The visitors got the winner in the dying minutes but the performance by both teams should have seen the points shared. A lack of discipline, consistency and fairness really did ruin what could have been a decent, competitive game.’
We go again Sunday 4th December 2022, 14:00.
Evergreen Eagles v Firsts
Evergreen Football & Social Club
Hertford Town v Canaries
Hertingfordbury Park
Keep up to date with all the live scores & fixtures, Twitter @HitchinTownWFC or on Facebook, Hitchin Town Womens FC
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BY ROY IZZARD