WEEKLY BULLETIN – 3RD SEPT

FIXTURE(S)

Saturday 4th September – Away to Biggleswade Town – Emirates FA Cup – Kick-off 3pm.
Tickets can be purchased via our website or you can pay at the gate on the day.

If this game ends in a draw the replay will be at Top Field on Monday 6th September kick-off 7:45pm.
If this happens watch the website for ticket details.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

BANBURY
We started really well and scored a very good goal after just two minutes. We continued to play good football for the next 15-20 minutes but Banbury then began to get back in to the game and exerted their own pressure. They created a number of chances and equalised before half time.

In the second half Banbury took control of the game and I was very impressed by their performance. They deservedly ran out 3-1 winners in the end but on the positive side I was encouraged by our performance in the first 20 minutes and I want us to aspire to play like Banbury did in the near future.

ROYSTON
While I was disappointed by Saturday’s result I knew I had to lift the players for this local derby. The game itself was not a pretty affair and though we had a couple of half chances Royston ground out a deserved victory. It was always going to be a difficult match with the vast amount of experience and quality players that Royston possess. You can see Royston’s intent as they had paid a fee for a centre forward from the league above.

The positives were that we did not give up or throw in the towel and there were encouraging signs in the last 10 minutes.

BIGGLESWADE
I am sure when the draw was made both teams would rather have had different opponents with us being in the same league and it being a local derby. However I am sure it will be a feisty affair with a lot at stake. Biggleswade have made an excellent start to the season and with home advantage they must start favourites. However we always enjoy playing with the underdog label and we will go looking for a victory to kick start our season.

PLAYER NEWS

• Dan Webb faces a fitness test.
• Dan Akubuine faces a fitness test.
• Lewis Barker returns to the squad after illness.
• Max Ryan and Jonas Kolanda played for Cambridge City last Saturday.
• Urijah Douglas-Gordon played for Histon last Saturday.

SUPPORTERS
Many thanks to our supporters who turned out in great numbers on Monday to boost the gate to a very healthy 735 with a good contingent from Royston also present. This Saturday we start our FA Cup adventure in this 150th anniversary season. It would be great to mark the occasion with another cup run and our supporters can help us on Saturday by making the short journey to Biggleswade. I am sure we can take sufficient numbers to make it seem like a home game and really get behind the team in a game that is so important financially with £2,250 for the winners and £750 for the losers.

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE BY PAUL SPRAGUE
Despite the football season having now commenced, the improvement works to the ground still continue – we are so grateful that our band of volunteers continue to find time for this despite having to now also dedicate time to supporting the team home and away.

It does feel like we are on the home straight now though and continuing to tick the remaining items of this list.

The observant amongst you will have noticed that the old club shop was demolished a couple of weeks ago as it was leaking and beyond repair. At 6.30am this morning (Friday 3rd) another key step was taken with delivery of the new club office / shop building. This will be fitted out in the coming weeks and we will bring you news shortly as to when the new Top Field Club Shop will be opening.

HOP FIELD 1871 ALE
Our Emirates FA Cup anniversary ale is now available at Canary Club at just £3.10 per pint. Why not pop along to give this unique ale a try. This Sunday the Non-League Paper have told me they will feature a story about the Hop Field ale.

TICKETING AND MERCHANDISE UPDATE

• Coach tickets for Bromsgrove are on sale from today (Friday).
• Tickets for the home game with Barwell go on sale from 10.00am on Sunday
• The new away shirts continue to sell well. XXL size has now sold out so please get your order in quickly to avoid disappointment. The new club shop will be open shortly but in the mean time all merchandise can be purchased online.

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY

On Sunday 29th August 2021 the XIs & Canaries were at Langford Ladies FC & Hitchin Belles.

Richard Klausner the XI manager commented ‘We played away to Langford and we started very slowly like we seem to do in every game recently. Several players playing in new positions to see what they could do. New player Lucy Higgs made her debut. We had several chances but no goals. At half time Langford were winning 3-0.

Second half we played players in more familiar positions and we had a bit more urgency about us and started playing decent football and the team morale came back. Game on now. We played a lot better second half and looked very good, passing the ball around well.

Final score 3-3
Goal scorers
Evans, Watson and Wyatt’

Jamie Smith the Canaries manager commented ‘The Canaries played locals Hitchin Belles in another pre season friendly. The game started well with both teams passing the ball around finding space. It was the Canneries who got on the score board first with a great team effort for Allen to finish into the bottom corner. Belles levelled and added another shortly after. The Canaries hit back with Allen sending the ball over the keeper at an angle and got things back on level terms. However the Belles capitalised on the player & sub advantage and managed to sneak in a further four more goals. However the match was soon to be abandoned due to injury to our keeper Nemeth.’

Sunday 5th September 2021 opposition to be confirmed, keep up to date on our Twitter @HitchinTownWFC or on Facebook, Hitchin Town Womens FC. Keep an eye on the social media pages as our fixtures within the Neds & Herts Women’s League are due to be released!

We are still continuing to recruit for players for the 2021/2022 season. We train Wednesday evenings at The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5AU. Training starts at 20:30 and finishes at 22:00, all abilities welcome!

FA CUP COMMENTARY ON HTFC RADIO
Tomorrow’s FA Cup 1st Round Qualifier against Biggleswade Town will be live on HTFC Radio, with coverage from 2:45pm on htfc.radio12345.com. We will also be bringing you a Canary Club Podcast on Monday featuring an interview with Michael Jones and Josh Mollison from Thursday’s FA Youth Cup game.

BY ROY IZZARD