FIXTURES

  • Saturday 9th October Away to Hednesford League kick-off 3.00pm. Coach departs 10.30am.
  • Monday 11th October Home to Coalville League kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets must be purchased from our website.

MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE

STOURBRIDGE

We began the game steadily and created a couple of chances which the keeper saved. However we then conceded a goal from a corner which put us on the back foot. Charlie Horlock made a couple of good saves but we trailed 1-0 at half time. We had some harsh words with the players and we changed our shape for the second half as we went from three at the back to a diamond formation and took the game to Stourbridge.

We created a number of chances but could not find that killer instinct and we must improve this part of our game. The turning point of the game came when Luke Brown had a shot saved with Henry Snee putting the rebound in the net only to be ruled offside. When we viewed the video of the game it showed the linesman made a clear error and Henry was a yard onside. But this is the way our season has been going and fine margins turn games. Had the goal stood we were enjoying our best spell of the game and with Stourbridge low on confidence having not won a game the momentum really would have passed to us. As it was Stourbridge scored a second goal when we conceded too much ground and failed to close down their forward who was able to shoot from close range.

Out task became more difficult and heads were down. We conceded a late third goal as we were caught chasing a goal of our own.

ST NEOTS TOWN

On Tuesday we gave a much more determined performance and mixed our game up really well. I thought we were the dominant team throughout and created a number of chances but again failed to take them until It was good to see Ryan Smith take one to give us the lead. We have been urging Ryan to shoot on sight so It was good to see it bear fruit. We should have prevented the cross that led to the equalizer—again fine margins proving our undoing- and missed one chance from two yards out.

The penalty shoot out was shocking but it is always a lottery. I want to take the positives from the game. At the end of 90 minutes we had stopped the rot of three successive defeats. Also young Stan Georgiou made a very impressive debut and I was delighted with his performance.

HEDNESFORD AND COALVILLE

We face two very tough games on Saturday and Monday with Coalville second and Hednesford third in the league table, while our current form has been inconsistent. But we like a challenge and the players are really determined to change our fortunes. We will give 100 % effort in both games and I urge all our supporters to really get behind the team at this difficult moment.

PLAYER NEWS

  • Daniel Akubuine will not be available having got injured at St Neots.
  • Darien Furlong will not be available as he has not recovered from his recent injury.
  • Ciaren Jones will return to the squad after missing the St Neots game.
  • Delsin Ackom will be out for two weeks after picking up an injury at training.

THE GENERATION CUP
We are delighted to announce our participation in the Generation Cup which is a special competition that has been set up to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the FA Cup. Please watch our social media outlets next week for full details of this exciting event.

LUTON UNDER 23’S AT TOP FIELD
This Tuesday 12th October we host the game between Luton Under 23’s and Bournemouth Under 23’s at Top Field kick off 2.00pm.

Admission prices will be £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1 for children and teenagers. Tickets will be available to purchase online from Sunday 10th October.

ACADEMY UPDATE BY MICHAEL JONES
On Tuesday 5th October Stanley Georgiou made his senior competitive debut for the first team against St Neots. He came off the bench after 15 minutes and did not look out of place. He was voted Hitchin Radios man of the match after not only showing his confidence and composure with the ball but his excellent defending ability. We hope Stan will get more opportunities to show what he can do in the future.

On Wednesday 6th October we played our second league game in our SCL Development league. We entertained West Ham Whites looking to build on from our first game of the seasons which we won. Unfortunately for all our hard work and chances we created we failed to win the match going down 3-2.

Goals: Jordan Gear & Harrison Sollis
Man of the match: Ansu Koroma

HTWFC UPDATE BY KARLA CHAFFEY
There was only the one fixture this weekend and the Canaries were away to Buntingford Ladies FC. Here is what Club Coach Callum had to say:

The Canaries were away to Buntingford Ladies in their second away fixture this season. Within the warm up Joyce had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. The game got underway and it was Hitchin on the early press giving Buntingford little to no room to play football. It was a ball from Nemeth which was flicked on by Edwards who sent the ball through to Allen who tucked the ball away for the opening goal. The opportunities kept falling for the Canaries but the keeper kept Allen and D’Isola at bay. Buntingford managed to find their feet and started to pile the pressure onto Hitchin with several long balls. Colyer and Harrower stayed strong within the middle of the field keeping the pressure off of the Canaries defence. However if anything crept through Rufaioglu and Armstrong tidied things up. However the pressure got too much and Buntingford levelled the score line. A defensive error opened the door to the Hitchin goal and Buntingford went into the half time interval with the lead.

After several constructive words from the Canaries management team the second half got under way it was the Canaries that started stronger out of the two. Buntingford took a little while to get going after the break but they added to their lead in the fiftieth minute and then added their fourth on the sixtieth. Barratt came on for Rose who was carrying a knock and D’Isola made way for Dennis-Harburg. Allen made way for Rose shortly after. The Canaries within the last fifteen of the game were starting to pile the pressure onto Buntingford and came knocking for a second but their keeper was not to be beaten again. However Edwards picked up a deflection from the defence and from twenty five yards out sent it over the keeper to bring the game to 4-2. Is the come back on or is too late? Carter made way for Allen and Colyer moved over to wing. Allen was sent on a mazy run and tucked it away for a third for the Canaries and the comeback was well and truly on. With eight minutes left could Hitchin do it? Buntingford were pinned back in their half but were still dangerous on the counter however Nemeth refused to give in. It was Colyer who picked the ball up from the edge of the box and with a wild shot sent it into the back of the Buntingford net to bring the game level! 6 MINUTES LEFT and it was none other than Allen! Allen was sent through and slotted the ball past the keeper to make the comeback complete! 5-4 to the Canaries and it was now to remain calm for the last four minutes. Buntingford tried to level the score however Schofield and the rest of the defence saw the final minutes out and the Canaries collected the three points back to Hitchin.

An amazing advert for women’s football this afternoon, two teams battling it out to the final moments to steal points. An incredible game and we look forward to the reverse fixture at Ickleford!

Sunday 10th October 2021 fixtures are:
Beds & Herts Women’s Football League Division One
14:00 – HTWFC v Langford Ladies FC

Beds & Herts Women’s Football League Division Two
15:00 – BSC FC Ladies v HTWFC Canaries

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 22:00, all abilities welcome!