Saturday 21 April – home to Bishops Stortford, league, kick off 3.00pm.
Monday 23 April – home to Dorchester Town, league, kick off 7.45pm.
Wednesday 25 April – home to Hereford, league, kick off 7.45pm.

HITCHIN TOWN LADIES

This is the report from Callum Ellis of the Ladies’ win last Sunday:

“Sunday 15th April saw us return to league fixtures against leaders Garston 2nd XI. The league leaders needed two points from their remaining two games of the season to secure the league title. We needed seven points to secure third if results went in our favour. Roll on our last home fixture at Swinburne Avenue.

The game got underway and the Ladies started slowly. Garston were pushing for an early goal but however were offside in their first attack. Our first creative play was on the right side where Franklin found space and attacked the line. As the ball was sent in it was McNamara who just shot wide.

Hitchin were knocking at the door and it wasn’t long till we found the net. The attack started from the defence. The ball was then passed around in the midfield creating space for the wingers to run onto. McNamara created the space between the defenders and Chaffey slotted the ball through. A McNamara run through two defenders took the ball over the keeper to make it 1-0 Hitchin.

Garston attacked quickly and pressed Hitchin but the defenders kept them at bay.
A Garston attack fell into the arms of Thompson who punted the ball to McNamara who turned the defender to create a one on one situation. McNamara calmly slotted the ball across the goal and into net. 2-0 Hitchin.

Another Thompson punt went up to McNamara but the Garston keeper was quickly off her line to tidy up.

Half Time

The second half got under way and Garston with some much needed reorganisation attacked Hitchin. The wind gave Garston an advantage but all they could do was punt the ball high up the pitch hoping for someone to get on the end of it. With Smith & Gash tidying up each loose ball Hitchin were rarely threatened.

Garston’s goal came from a corner with the ball being swung in and with help from the wind it went into the Hitchin net.

Hitchin began to feel the pressure when Garston changed to a 3-4-3 system. The attacks started to come in quicker and faster but again Hawkridge and Winter kept the Garston attack at bay.

The final nail in the coffin for Garston was when a player picked the ball up believing it was out of play. However it hadn’t gone out and a free kick was given. Chaffey delivered the perfect cross which was punched by the keeper into the face of Watson who made it 3-1.

Garston had run out of time and ended the game hoping for results elsewhere to favour them.

The referee blew for full time and the Ladies ended the game winners. A fitting end to our dominance at Swinburne Avenue. Not many teams come away from here with points and we have made it a fortress. Even the moles couldn’t stop us. The creativity from each attack for Hitchin involved nearly all the players and the creative football that has shone throughout the season has changed the face of Hitchin Ladies.

We take on Evergreen Eagles at Evergreen F.C. on Sunday 22nd April 2018.”

HITCHIN TOWN UNDER 19’S

The Academy team had their game called off on Wednesday. Today (Friday) they travel to Potters Bar to play Wealdstone kick off 2.00pm. Next Wednesday 25 April they are at home to Dorking Wanderers at the Arena kick off 12.30pm.

PLAYER NEWS

Lucas Kirkpatrick, Trey Charles and Elliot Bailey will miss the Bishops Stortford game through injury and remain doubtful for Dorchester and Hereford. Other than long term absentees Jay Dowie and Kieran McCaffrey the rest of the squad are available for selection.

INTRODUCING PIPEMAN

You may have noticed the reports of the games against Kettering and Didcot were written by ‘Pipeman’, otherwise known as Paul Harris. Paul is well known on the Southern League circuit having been secretary of Dunstable Town FC and his reports of their games were really popular even to neutral supporters. With Colin Ridgway standing down at the end of the season, I approached Paul to ask him to take over our match reporting for the website and the Non League Paper for next season and I am delighted to say he has agreed. Colin and Paul are sharing the reporting for the remaining games.

BIGFREEBET.COM CUP WINNERS

I was somewhat surprised to see some supporters questioning the way we played to win the League cup. In the end I actually think the club should take it as a compliment as, if supporters are so blasé they are worried about how we achieve our cup success rather than just being delighted we have actually lifted silverware, it shows just how expectations have greatly increased. For so many years avoiding relegation was considered a success and now we not only have to win trophies we are expected to do it in style! This is the first time Hitchin Town have won senior trophies in three consecutive years in their history if the Herts Charity Cup is not included so I think we should just be thankful for this success.

YOUTH DAY 2

We are having a second Youth Day tomorrow at the Bishops Stortford game. The Youth section have had a good season and chairman Paul Males has sent me the following update on the teams who are attending the game tomorrow. He will provide an update on the other age groups next week:

Hitchin Town Under 13’s

Hitchin Town U13’s Tigers have just won the Royston Crow U13’s Division one title. and in a couple of weeks will be playing in the league cup final. To date they are unbeaten in all completions run by the Royston Crow League, drawing one match but winning the rest.
Hitchin Town U13’s Panthers, have had a fantastic start to life in the EJA league. They made the mid week league cup final (which was played on Wednesday, ending in a penalty shoot-out defeat) and on top off this they have made the Under 13’s Hertfordshire County Cup Final, a fantastic achievement.

Hitchin Town Under 12’s

Hitchin Town U12’s Athletico, have had a great season in the Mid Herts League, they have made it through to the Mid Herts Red division Cup final.

Hitchin Hounds Under 11’s

Managed and Coached by Chris Fenn & Craig Hay, this year they have had great success in the top division of their age group and in fact have not lost a game since November last year. Tomorrow sees them step out for their cup semi final against Letchworth so will be hoping for a great result to see us through to the final on the 13th May.

We do also have our under 8’s coming up as mascots for the Bishops Stortford game.

A massive well done to all these teams.

Paul Males

We hope to see a large number of our youth players and parents at the game tomorrow.

Roy Izzard