WEEKLY BULLETIN – 4TH NOVEMBER

FIXTURES

• Saturday 5th November Away to Ilkeston League kick-off 3.00pm. Coach leaves at 10.30am.
• There is no midweek fixture.
• Please note the following revised kick-off times. Our home game with Alvechurch on Saturday 12th November will have a 2.00pm kick-off and the away game at Royston on Saturday 19th November will have a 1.30pm kick-off.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

POTTERS BAR

We welcomed high flying Potters Bar to Top Field last Saturday as they sat top of the Isthmian League Premier Division. We were in confident mood after our win at Stratford and we continued that form at the start of the game. While there were no goals in the first half there was a lot of entertaining football and 0-0 was probably a fair reflection of the first half.

We got off to a tremendous start in the second half with a wonder goal from Diogo Freitas -Gouveia and a penalty from Steve Cawley to go 2-0 up. We continued to play good football and added a third goal from Ashley Hay. I do not want to appear to be complacent but I did have my eye on the Nuneaton game when I decided to withdraw Steve Cawley to rest him for Tuesday. However, I do not believe this was the cause of the Potters Bar comeback when they scored two goals in quick succession to bring them back in the game at 3-2. Basically they had nothing to lose and threw everything at us. I was really pleased with the composure we showed and despite the constant Potters Bar pressure we came away with the win.

NUNEATON

We arrived at Nuneaton full of confidence after back to back wins. We knew it would be a difficult game with our hosts third in the table but we gave a very good account of ourselves. I thought we shaded the first half and deserved the 1-0 lead.

The second half saw Nuneaton come at us but I felt we defended very well and only conceded to a well taken goal. I would have happily taken a point before the game and it was good to extend our unbeaten run. It was also a relief to have an easier journey home and we were back at Top Field at 1.00am rather that the 3.00am return last Tuesday.

ILKESTON

We travel for our very first meeting with Ilkeston on Saturday and we are looking forward to visiting a new ground with its 3G pitch. In their last six games Ilkeston have won three and lost three. Our league records are identical with four wins, five draws and five defeats and Ilkeston are one place above us due to their better goal difference. It suggests it will be a close game and we will be looking to build on our recent performances.

The players have given me a nice selection headache as competition for places is hotting up and it means I face difficult decisions but that is what any manager likes.

MARK BURKE

PLAYER NEWS

• Diogo Freitas-Gouveia returns to the squad for Ilkeston after missing the Nuneaton game.
• Kye Tearle is now fully fit.

HERTS SENIOR CUP ATTENDANCE
Many thanks to our supporters (and those from Potters Bar including their Norwegian contingent) who attended last Saturday. The attendance of 339 was better than all the League games played in our division last Saturday and better than many FA Trophy games. It was our highest Herts Senior Cup attendance since 2000/2001 when 405 saw us play Stevenage and only one attendance in the 1990’s exceeded Saturday’s total. Indeed other than the previous round when we had 231 watch the Welwyn game no other Herts Senior Cup attendance in the last 30 years exceeded 200.

MERCHANDISE NEWS
Please visit our online club shop to see the wide range of club merchandise that is on offer. With Christmas getting ever nearer buy now while stocks are available as if any item sells out it is not possible to guarantee we will receive replacement stock before Christmas.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES

PLAYER WATCH
Congratulations to 1st year player Gabriel Tonks who made the bench for step 4 club St Neots on Saturday and then on Tuesday 1st November he made his debut.

GAMES
Disappointing Wednesday this week as both teams lost their matches meaning the development teams’ unbeaten start came to an end.

We now have two fixtures next week to bounce back.

RECRUITMENT
We are now recruiting for September 23, anyone who is interested please register your details using this link – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
Both teams were in action last weekend, making short away trips. The Firsts were at Sherrardswood and this is the quick match report –

On Sunday 30th January 2022, the Firsts were away to Sherrardswood in the league. With a number of injuries the squad were raring to get going. Both teams enjoyed equal possession for the first twenty minutes however a mistake by the Hitchin defence gave the opening goal to Sherrardswood. Hitchin continued to press and were caught on the break and Sherrardswood doubled their lead. In the second half Sherrardswood penned Hitchin into their own half leaving no escape for Hitchin. Sherrardswood wrapped the game up adding their third. A bad day at the office for the Hitchin side.

The Canaries were away to Wheathampstead and this is how they got on—

The Canaries made the short journey to Wheathampstead looking to build on the momentum from last weeks win.

It was a nice brisk Sunday afternoon with the sun making a brief appearance. After a great training session on Tuesday night it was time to enter the pitch with confidence. The game started well with the Canaries passing well and creating space and opportunities. Chaffey and Wilson had shots narrowly missing the target. GOAL and who else but Chaffey! Her 92nd for Hitchin and the assist came from the Wheathamstead keeper. She kicked it straight to Chaffey’s boot who’s first touch sent it from 30 yards lobbing the keeper.

This really woke the Canaries up with H.Edwards and C.Edwards combining and flying down the wing whipping crosses in. The defence were absolutely outstanding today with George making her debut in the back four alongside Armstrong, Amies and Cracknell who were absolutely outstanding again today. Mercer came close with a long range shot which the keeper just about kept out. Then the heavens opened and the rain really did come down. With both teams pushing through the weather it was Wheathampstead who really did put the pressure on. Reed-Grace made some crucial challenges to stop some dangerous attacks. Barrett then came on and sat just in front of the defence again making critical challenges breaking down the play. It was time for the Canaries to be clever and play the game out. The rain started again but luckily the ref blew for full time and it was the Canaries who walked away with all 3 points. ‘

Both teams are away in the BHWFL, they are 14:00 kick off however unsure if the games will be postponed. Keep updated with current pitch inspections on our socials below.

Knebworth v Firsts
Bedwell v Canaries

Keep up to date with all the live scores & fixtures, Twitter @HitchinTownWFC or on Facebook, Hitchin Town Womens FC

We are currently recruiting new sponsors to help us cement our future. We are looking for sponsors to help us develop a women’s club to be the best in Hertfordshire. Please get in touch for further information.

BY ROY IZZARD