WEEKLY BULLETIN: 7TH NOVEMBER
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 8 November vs Beaconsfield Town (A) – Southern League
On Saturday 8 November we are away to Beaconsfield in a league game kick off 3.00pm. There is no coach to this game.
For those of you intending to go to the match at Beaconsfield on Saturday, please be aware that no cash is accepted for entry. Specific details for entry on Saturday can be found by visiting the relevant Forum posting via this link: https://forum.hitchintownfc.club/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3641
Beaconsfield are ninth in the table with 5 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats from their 12 games. In their last six games there have been 4 draws with one win and one loss.
We last played Beaconsfield in the 2010/11 season when we won 4-0 at home and 4-1 away.
Tuesday 11 November vs Leverstock Green (H) – Herts Senior Cup
It’s another visit to Top Field for Leverstock Green – this time it’s in the Herts Senior Challenge Cup Second Round. Kick off in this game is 7.45pm.
Our last match at Top Field, which was in the league against Leverstock Green, was very keenly contested and Hitchin Town only just grabbed the win thanks to that Josh Jackman final minute goal.
The winner of this tie will host either Potters Bar Town or Watford in the Quarter Finals. That match is likely to take place in Early December.
Tickets
Please remember, as this is a cup match, due to competition rules season tickets are not valid.
Tickets are however at a reduced rate for this match.
Where possible we advising purchasing online. As well as being cheaper, it will ensure your quick and easy entry into the ground through the turnstiles.
Please purchase your tickets online here:
https://hitchintownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
The online box office remains open until 30 minutes after kick off.
If you do need to buy your tickets in person, our Matchday ticket office will be open from 18.30-20.00 , and can be accessed from the rear car park (behind the Canary Club). Once you have purchased a ticket at the Matchday Ticket Office you will then present your ticket at the turnstiles for entry. More details here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/admission-prices/
Turnstiles open at 18.45
Parking
Unfortunately supporter parking is not available in the club car park (unless you are a registered blue badge holder and have made prior arrangements).
Food and Drink
The Canary Club bar is open from 11.00 with some of the lowest prices in Hitchin! Drinks can be taken into the ground in a reusable plastic cup. (£1 deposit required). You can exit to the bar during the match and will be re-admitted via the side gate by showing your hand-stamp.
Please enter the ground as early as possible before kick off to avoid congestion at the turnstiles. We have the following options inside the ground and you can still exit to the Canary Club Bar too:
Mad Squirrel Brewery are serving a great range of craft beers, ciders and lager. They are located adjacent to the main stand.
Canary Kitchen will be open from when the turnstiles open serving a great range of food and soft drinks including our signature HTFC Pies.
Club Shop
Get your matchday programme, teamsheet, chocolate bars, sweets and HTFC merchandise from the club shop.
For full details on the facilities at Top Field see our Matchday Info page here:
https://hitchintownfc.club/matchday-info/
We look forward to welcoming everyone to Top Field and hope that everyone has a great evening.
Manager’s Notes
Late Win over Leverstock Green
On Saturday we hosted Leverstock Green looking to continue our recent good form. We started the game at a very fast pace and it was not long before a Stephen Gleeson shot was tipped over the bar by the keeper. The resulting corner then produced another great chance when Blue Joy’s shot was fantastically saved by the keeper and from this resulting corner Blue Joy hit the post and Josh Jackman was unable to connect with the rebound. We then had a couplef more chances that we were unable to take. Leverstock Green then took the lead with their first corner of the game and then followed with a chance that looked harder to miss which would have given them a comfortable lead. We then continued to push for the leveller and had a few more chances with our best one coming via a penalty kick which the keeper saved from Stephen Gleeson. It was starting to look like it was not going to be our day in front of goal but then a fine header from Josh Jackman found Lewis Franklin who continued his good goalscoring form to bring us level at Half time.
Second half and we could not seem to find the same rhythm as we did in the first half and chances were harder to come by. Credit to Leverstock Green, they were exactly what we expected, very organised, hard working and a threat on the break. Our best chance came midway through the half when Lewis Franklin’s shot was tipped around the post for a corner. With about 15 minutes to go Leverstock Green counter attacked and after a good save from Alfie Bonfield in goal, the rebound looked to be a certain goal but for a brilliant Charlie Briggs goal line clearance. It was not long before we were reduced to 10 men after Charlie Briggs tangled legs with their front man and was judged to be last man.
Credit to everyone they as they realised the difficult situation we were in and the crowd and players dug in together to continue to push each other on for the win. The character and belief continued until the final minute of added time when Josh Coldicott – Stevens’ run won a corner and with virtually the last kick of the game and after a bit of a scramble in the box, Josh Jackman was able to poke home the winner and send the ground into pandemonium.
The whistle then went to signal a hard fought 2-1 win.
I can’t thank all of you enough. You realised we needed your noise in the remaining minutes of the match and this inspired the players to keep going to the end and helped us get the maximum points.
Trip to Beaconsfield Town
We travel to Beaconsfield on Saturday who have drawn with Hadley, Biggleswade FC, Ware and Barton in October and are coming into this game off the back of an impressive 4-1 win against Thame United.
Beaconsfield will be a difficult team to play against, they have some very good attacking players, good experience and are very adaptable with the way they play.
We are looking forward to another difficult match but one where we are hoping to stop their attacking threats but also make sure we capitalize on the chances we create.
I know it’s one of our further games this season but it would be great to see as many of our loyal Canary following as possible to get behind the group.
Cup Game Versus Leverstock Green
Tuesday we host Leverstock Green again but this time in the Herts Senior Cup. This competition gives us a chance to rotate the squad and allow players the opportunity to show why they should be in the starting team in the league matches.
We know what to expect from Leverstock Green after our hard fought victory last Saturday and we know they will know what to expect from us and they will be looking for a quick fire revenge.
Player News
- Lewis Barker played for Biggleswade United at the weekend as he looks to gain fitness while trying to manage the demands of his job.
- Josh Bowler has started running in training as he continues to work towards his recovery schedule.
- Mbunya Alemanji is playing for Potton United again this weekend as he looks to regain his fitness.
- Plamedi Bomolo remains on a dual registration with Kempston Rovers FC.
- Cole Butler has been getting some much needed minutes at Potton United.
- George Morrall is suffering with an injury that will keep him out.
- Fernando Bell-Toxtle is still suffering with an injury picked up against Northwood.
- Liam Brooks is still recovering from the injury he picked up against Ware FC.
- Charlie Briggs is suspended for this weekend after his red card against Leverstock Green.
Academy News
Will McNeill played against Mk Dons academy last week. Will managed to get himself a couple of assists against the young Mk side.
If you would like to be part of the academy or would like to find out more information on what we offer please register your details using this link – https://extranet.wearescl.co.uk/SCLSPEnquiry/
Michael Jones
Chairman’s Programme Notes: September & October
Whilst I would encourage everyone to continue to buy our fantastic matchday programme (thanks to Mick and Peter alongside all the contributors for the countless hours of work that goes into it), I will also now provide a copy of my programme notes at the end of each month so they are available to a wider audience on our website.
So, to kick things off, you can read the notes from both September’s and October’s programmes:https://hitchintownfc.club/chairmans-programme-notes-september-october-2025/
Paul Sprague
Hitchin Town Old Boys: An Update
FA Cup 1st Round Proper
Last weekend saw the exit of every former canary in the FA Cup 1st Round Proper with only Will Wright of Swindon Town progressing to Round 2.
Although Barnet lost away to Fleetwood Town Callum Stead did score a very good goal. Hemel Hempstead pushed Wigan Athletic all way with a 1-1 draw after extra time only to go out on penalties with Michael Johnson not being able to be the hero of the hour.
The results were as follows:
Tie – Former Canaries
Fleetwood Town 2 v 1 Barnet – Callum Stead, Kane Smith & Dean Brennan
Rotherham United 1 v 2 Swindon Town – Will Wright
Wigan Athletic 1 v 1 Hemel Hempstead Town – Michael Johnson, Finley Wilkinson & Jack Bateson
Burton Albion 6 v 0 St Albans City – Jack James
Grimsby Town 3 v 1 Ebbsfleet United – Josh Coley
Tamworth 0 v 1 Leyton Orient – Olly Lynch
Wealdstone 1 v 0 Southend United – Leon Chambers-Parillon
Wycombe Wanderers 2 v 0 Plymouth Argyle – Damon Lathrope
Barnsley 3 v 2 York City – Stuart Maynard
Mark Burke
Community Update
Coaching Courses at The Arena
Junior Ability Counts
The Junior Ability Counts sessions at the Arena, Baldock started on Monday 3rd November and will run until 8th December 2025. The sessions start from 5pm until 6pm and are open to 5 – 16 year olds with physical and or SEN but be able to walk.
Safe Hands Goalkeeping Course
The very popular Safe Hands Goalkeeping sessions at the Arena, Baldock also started this week on Wednesday from 5.30-6.30pm with former Hitchin Town 1st Team goalkeeper Josh Mollison.
The next session will be on 12th November until 10th December and are open to 6 – 14 year olds
Coaching in Schools
If there are any schools requiring support for their PE, PPA, Wraparound provision, After School and Breakfast Clubs please contact Josh Mollison on info@htcfc.co.uk
Mark Burke
HTWFC Update
Results
Hitchin Town Women FC 5 – 0 Wormley Rovers Ladies Development
Hitchin Belles Whites 7 – 0 HTWFC Canaries
Fixture
Sunday 9th November 2025 – 14:00
HTWFC v Bedford Central
St Christophers School, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3JZ
Calum Ellis