WEEKLY BULLETIN FROM ROY
FIXTURES
Sunday 11 November home to Solihull Moors F A Cup First Round kick off 12.45pm. Please note this is an all ticket game and you cannot pay on the day.
Tuesday 12 November away to AFC Rushden & Diamonds League kick off 7.45pm. There is no coach to this game. If AFC Rushden & Diamonds draw their FA Trophy game on Saturday our game will be postponed.
PLAYER NEWS
- Jay Dowie completes his suspension on Sunday so misses the Solihull game.
- Macsen Fraser is injured and will miss the Solihull game.
- Alex Anderson faces a fitness test before the Solihull game.
- All other squad members are available for selection.
SOLIHULL MOORS
Many thanks to the Hitchin public who have come out in force to support us in our FA cup game with Solihull Moors on Sunday. To sell 3,000 tickets for a game against a fellow non-league side is an incredible achievement. We hope you enjoy your visit to the iconic Top Field ground and trust that some of our new supporters will want to return for future Hitchin games. Please get behind the team and enjoy the occasion. This please this game is sold out and no tickets or cash turnstiles will be available on the day.
It has been a great couple of weeks for Hitchin Town F C with the hosting of the FA Cup draw, the incredible win over Leatherhead and being chosen to be on BBC TV on Sunday. Radio interviews, a feature on BBC Look East and national newspaper coverage has kept Hitchin firmly on the map and has brought great publicity to the town.
MANAGER’S NOTES WITH MARK BURKE
TAMWORTH
I thought we started the game very well playing some good football. It was unfortunate that we missed the penalty but we remained very much in the game despite going behind.
I was very disappointed that after the second goal we appeared to accept defeat and this is not good enough. It is very important to keep fighting to the final whistle and this is a lesson the players must learn. I accept the FA Cup game with Solihull was a distraction but we need to pick up league points.
TRING ATHLETIC
I was able to reshape the team to rest as many potential starters as possible ahead of Sunday. Some players played in unfamiliar positions but the game did allow me to give Jack Green and Robbie Burns a run out while Michael Cain had a full 90 minutes together with Danny Talbot. Despite going behind I was pleased how we responded in the second half and the winning goal was worthy of being on a higher stage.
So overall I was pleased with what I got out of the game and victory was a bonus and I look forward to hosting Hemel Hempstead in the next round.
SOLIHULL MOORS
There is not a lot more I can say about Sunday’s game. It is our biggest game for 23 years and I urge the players and supporters to enjoy the occasion. I am pleased we are the underdogs which is my favoured position. We have had Solihull watched three times and I have studied videos of their games. They are obviously a very good side and clear favourites. But this is the FA Cup where dreams can come true. Please get behind the team and we will do our utmost to cause a surprise.
HITCHIN TOWN UNDER 19’S
The academy team were beaten 5-4 by Aveley in the League Cup last Wednesday. This Wednesday they are away to Staines.
HITCHIN TOWN LADIES FC
Manager Callum Ellis reports on last Sunday’s game:
Hitchin Town Ladies v Watton Ladies FC
Our ladies returned to league action against Watton who beat Hitchin two seasons ago in the League Cup Semi-Final.
Hitchin started on the front foot moving into the Watton box in the early stages.
Hitchin pressed and won a penalty when Watson was taken down. Chaffey stepped up and made it two goals in two games from the spot.
Hitchin kept pressing throughout the half hitting the bar & post! A very frustrating half for Hitchin who should have been several goals ahead.
Hitchin started the second half again dominating Watton and won a corner. Wilfort sent in a cross which found the head of Watson who slotted across the goal into the top corner.
Ten minutes later Hitchin were on the attack again! Evans slotted the ball into Thompson who powered a shot past the keeper to make it three.
Hitchin were involved in a goal mouth scramble and it was Smith who hit the cross bar. Then Watson hit the post and Chaffey followed up to make it four.
Wilfort who had a blinding game then ran down the right and hit the ball from 25 yards out and it looped over the keeper to make it five.
A tired Watton were no match for an energetic Hitchin side.
Hitchin Town Ladies remain top of Division Two, seven points clear but having played three games more than their opponents.
We now enjoy a two week break and we will hopefully see you at the First Round of The FA Cup!
COME ON THE TOWN!
SOLIHULL MOORS DIARY
I am writing a daily diary covering the build up to the Solihull game. It will be published on our website and I hope it provides you with an insight in to what goes on behind the scenes.
ROY IZZARD