FIXTURES

  • Saturday 6th November Away to Biggleswade League Kick-off 3.00pm.
  • Monday 8th November Home to Leiston League Kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets must be purchased online.

There will be no game next Saturday 13th November as our opponents Rushall Olympic are playing in the FA Trophy. This game will now be played on Tuesday 14th December kick-off 7.45pm.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

LEISTON

I was very disappointed to see us exit the FA Trophy. I felt we had the majority of the possession in the first half and we had our opportunities but when you are in the sort of run we are experiencing we had no luck. I was then frustrated that Leiston scored from their only chance but it showed how clinical they were and they led 1-0 at half time.

We came out and took the game to Leiston in the second half. But Leiston scored a similar goal to the first one and this really set us back. All credit to our players who did not give up and got a goal back with 20 minutes to go. But we showed our naivety and inexperience by being too gung ho after scoring when we needed to show composure. We left gaps at the back and got punished with a third goal to give Leiston a two goal cushion. But I could understand the gung ho attitude as the players were desperate to get a result after so many near misses in recent games.

We still continued to battle and if we had scored the penalty it would have put a fairer refection on the scoreline.

GENERATION CUP

I had a thoroughly enjoyable day on Sunday when I was able to catch up with so many old colleagues and relive plenty of good and happy memories. The standard of football was very good even if it was at a slower pace. I would like to thank all our volunteers who turned out Saturday and Sunday and they made sure the Generation Cup went so smoothly and everyone seemed to enjoy the occasion.

BIGGLESWADE/LEISTON

It is amazing in football that fortunes can change so much in just a couple of months. It does not seem long ago that we visited Biggleswade in the FA Cup and won 3-0. Since then our results have not been what we wanted while Biggleswade have picked up some excellent results. They will start as favourites but I hope we can turn the season round with a good result to go with a good performance.

On Monday we again play Leiston and we will have learned our lessons from last Saturday and will be looking for revenge.

PLAYER NEWS

  • Luke Brown has departed to Stowmarket. We thank him for his past services and wish him well for the future.
  • Stephen Gleeson has signed for Hitchin. Stephen is a very experienced midfield player who came over from Ireland to join Wolves. He has played for Hereford, Stockport and then made 169 appearances for MK Dons and 117 appearances for Birmingham. He also played for Ipswich and Aberdeen before joining Solihull and then Hemel Hempstead. He has played four full internationals for the Rebublic of Ireland.
  • Lewis Barker will be in the squad for the Biggleswade game.
  • Jack Green will be available for the Leiston game.
  • Kye Tearle is still facing several weeks on the sideline through injury.
  • Ryan Smith will be available for Biggleswade after recovering from shin splints.
  • Josh Caldicott-Stevens has resumed light training but is not yet available to play.

HALF SEASON TICKETS

Half season tickets are now on sale online. They will cover 10 home games starting with Tamworth on Saturday 18th December. Prices are £95 for adults, £55.00 for concessions, £15.00 for teenagers and £7.50 for under 13’s.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Wednesday 3rd November we hosted Boreham Wood in the National Youth Alliance League. Borehamwood had only lost one game and were on a five game unbeaten run. We came into this game with a 100% winning record in the league.

The game started off with an early chance for Matt Blake on his debut within 10 seconds but his shot was straight at the keeper. 12 minutes into the game Harry Dollimore kept up his fine scoring record to put us 1-0 up. We then created a few more chances that could have put us in a comfortable position but we wasted these and left Borehamwood in the game. Late in the first half a poor pass out from the back fell straight to a Borehamwood player who shot from distance to level the score.

Second half we started the stronger and after 57 minutes Matt Blake converted a penalty to put us in the lead again, however this was to be the best of the second half as the game became scrappy and we did not play to our usual high standards. 75 minutes Borehamwood levelled the game after a few mistakes from various players in the team.

The game finished 2-2 which keeps our unbeaten record and sets us up nicely for next weeks game against top of the table.

Goals: Harry Dollimore 12m & Matt Blake 57m
Man of the match: Malaki Black

We are currently recruiting for players for the 22/23 season, to register your interest or for further information please use this link below – https://www.northhertsarena.co.uk/next-trial-dates

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY

Both teams in league action this week, the XIs were at home to Biggleswade United FC Blues and this is what manager Richard had to say.

It was a very cagey first 5 minutes in very high winds and a low sun and the ball did not leave the middle third of the pitch. But a break by Logan won a free kick and up stepped Coffey. At least 25 yards out and a beautifully struck ball smashed against the cross bar and out. Hitchin made several attacks on goal from Higgs, Logan and Spang. But no goals yet. 12 minutes and a scramble in the Hitchin penalty area and a Biggleswade player stuck a leg out to put the ball in the net. 0-1.

20 minutes and a throw in bounced over two Hitchin defenders and fell at the feet of the Biggleswade player for her to absolutely smash the ball top corner giving Reinsford no chance. 0-2

Another shot by Logan saved by the Biggleswade goalie. Half time 0-2.

We started the second half brightly with the wind behind us and another strike from Logan saved again. Hitchin applying great pressure and urgency at this point and another run down the left wing by Spang and she struck the ball as sweet as you like with her left foot into the net. Fantastic individual goal. 1-2. Another corner taken by Smith saw Spang jump higher than everyone else to head the ball into the goal. 2-2 game on now and Biggleswade where under severe pressure with Hitchin pressing high up the pitch to grab a winning goal.

Smith shot for Hitchin just wide of the post. Biggleswade broke Hitchin’s off side trap a couple of times and were through 1v1 and had a shot just wide and another saved by Reinsford.

Lack of subs and fresh legs Hitchin started to struggle to a young Biggleswade side. A rare shot from Evans saved by the keeper and it was still 2-2.
3 minutes from time and Spang was fouled but the ref waved play on, then raised his hand to shield the sun.

Biggleswade then on the attack as the foul wasn’t given this time finding a good pass to their striker to score a goal. Even the Biggleswade coaching staff where amazed a foul wasn’t given. But that’s football and you have to play to the whistle. Every single Hitchin player played very well with great effort and intensity so a lot of positives to take from the game.

Final score 2-3 to Biggleswade.

Player of the match: April Spang.

The Canaries were at away to Stotfold Juniors Ladies FC and this is what manager Jamie had to say.

The Canaries made the short journey up the road to Stotfold today. In the lovely conditions with high wind and rain we were up against it from the start facing towards the wind after losing the toss. Even with the weather conditions the game started really well with both teams pushing for the opener. But it was the Canaries who struck first with Nemeth sending a ball long from her hands finding none other then Colyer the assist queen who slotted the ball through to Joiner who comfortably found the bottom corner to make it 0-1. Few more attempts on target after some strong attempts from Wilson who was causing a nuisance upfront. Stotfold soon struck back to make it 1-1. Allen made a appearance of the bench and made a sudden impact. Mercer played it on a plate for Allen to easily slide it home to make it 1-2. Unfortunately Joyce picked up a knock just before half time but Armstrong come on and made a sudden impact making some fantastic tackles.

The second half started very well with Carter and Edwards causing trouble on the wings. Edwards hit the crossbar with a fantastic free kick almost top bins. Allen managed to cause more trouble as always scoring the next two goals with some fantastic finishing. After having one wrongfully disallowed for offside she instantly hit back and found the back of the net again making it 4-1. Barrett come on for Carter and caused all sort of issues for Stotfold down the wing. Also doing some great defensive work. Rufaioglu and Schofield worked there socks off at the back not giving Stotfold a chance to build or create. The 5th goal come from some great build up play from Amies who went round her player to lay it off to Allen who again found the net 1-5. The goals kept coming Joiner making a fantastic solo run down the wing and whipping the ball in to find Colyer who again found the back of the net 1-6. Another great finish from some great build up play from the whole squad made it 1-7 by Allen. What a fantastic display of football from a great bunch of ladies. Thanks again to Stotfold for hosting wish you all the best with the rest of the season.

Sunday 7th November 2021 fixtures are:

BHWFL Division One
14:00 – Knebworth Women First v HTWFC XI
Kimpton Rovers FC , High Street, Kimpton, SG4 8RA

BHWFL Division Two
Kempston v HTWFC Canaries
Kempston Rovers FC, Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8SZ

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

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 21:30, all abilities welcome!

BY ROY IZZARD