The confirmation from the FA on the league structures for 2009-10 may not be made public until late May
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The online newspaper from Hitchin Town FC
Scorecheck
Headlines
Saturday April 25 2009
BGB Premier Division
Bashley (2)3 Rugby Town (1)1
Brackley Town (1)1 Tiverton (0)2
Cambridge City (0)2 Yate Town (2)2
Clevedon Town (0)0 Oxford City (0)1
Corby Town (1)5 Banbury United (0)0
Hemel Hempstead (2)2 Gloucester (1)1
Hitchin Town (1)1 Evesham United (1)2
Mangotsfield (2)3 Bedford Town (0)2
Merthyr Tydfil (2)2 Halesowen Town (0)0
Stourbridge (0)0 Farnborough (1)3
Swindon Super. (1)1 Chippenham (2)3
BGB Midlands
AFC Sudbury (0)1 Marlow (1)2
Arlesey Town (1)1 Romulus (0)0
Atherstone (0)3 Aylesbury (1)5
Barton Rovers (0)2 Nuneaton (0)1
Chasetown (1)2 Bedworth United (0)0
Chesham United (0)1 Bromsgrove (1)1
Leighton Town (0)2 Leamington (2)5
Malvern Town (0)1 Bury Town (1)1
Rothwell (1)3 Stourport (0)1
Sutton Coldfield (2)2 Dunstable (0)0
Woodford (1)1 Soham Town (0)1
Spartan South Midlands League
Biggleswade Town 3 Chalfont St.Peter 2
Brimsdown 0 Biggleswade United 1
United Counties League
Stotfold 3 Boston Town 2
Herts Senior County League
Hitchin Arena 3 Debden Sports 1
League Tables
Canaries to step up discipline
Ian Donnelly leaves Stotfold
Slough may be returning home
Canaries get tough
June 28: Hitchin Town is set to launch a new and stringent code of conduct for playing members of the club in 2009-10.
The Canaries management, perplexed at the club’s disciplinary record over the past few years, is determined to improve Hitchin Town’s reputation. Chairman Terry Barratt said: “Our record over the past few seasons has been poor, around 40 sending-offs and countless yellow cards. This not only costs the club money, but also damages our reputation. We are not prepared to accept this and as a result, a code of conduct, which we will establish with manager Colin Payne, will be set in motion.”
June 2: Hitchin manager Colin Payne anticipates a fiercely competitive BGB Midland division next season with local rivalry adding spice to the campaign. Payne was pleasantly surprised at the constitution of the league, with unexpected games against Burnham, Beaconsfield and Slough. He expects Slough, where former Canaries manager Darren Salton is currently serving as assistant manager, to be a challenger. “They’re a big club and although they are groundsharing, they have the potential to be up there.”
But he also sees competition coming from more local sources. “Arlesey have fresh impetus and if you believe the rumours, an injection of resources. They will be a threat,” says Payne.
There are quite a few “unknowns” for Payne and both he and Carl Williams have their work cut out in getting to grips with the new world Hitchin find themselves in. “Clubs like Soham, Sutton Coldfield, Atherstone and Romulus are not familiar to us, but we will doing our homework in the next few weeks. What we do expect is a lot of clubs in contention and we aim to be one of them.”
Payne and Williams have been speaking constantly to players and by the time the Canaries report back for pre-season training, there could be some “flesh on the bones”. In the meantime, Hitchin have three summer training sessions planned: June 10, June 17 and June 24.
May 20: Hitchin will face Cheshunt in the Herts Charity Cup first round on July 21. For the full draw go to www.hitchintownfc.co.uk
May 11: Mark Barnes, Hitchin's player of the year, will not be at Top Field in 2009-10. Barnes, who ended the campaign as the Canaries' leading scorer, is now based in Swindon and the travelling to and from North Herts has become a problem. Barnes was full of praise for the club, however, and thanked Hitchin fans for their support.
April 25: Hitchin Town were today relegated for the first time since 1998 and only the third time in their history. The Canaries were beaten 2-1 by Evesham, despite taking a first half lead.
Mark Barnes gave Hitchin the lead in a tense first period, curling his shoot round goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan. But in the final minute of the first half, Jermaine Clarke dived to head Evesham level. Hitchin had their chances in the early stages of the second period, Barnes glancing a header wide and then seeing a hooked effort cleared off the line. Evesham scored their winner in the 83rd minute, Robert Ager lobbing Canaries goalkeeper Martin Bennett.
Local football
Gordon Bickerstaff (left), Stotfold's new manager. Pictured right is Slough manager Steve Bateman, who has been busy in the close season signing former Hitchin players such as Jon Stevenson and Derwayne Stupple.
BGB Southern League
Bickerstaff new Stotfold boss
Slough may be returning to home town
June 28: Stotfold have appointed Gordon Bickerstaff as first team manager. Bickerstaff replaces Ian Donnelly, who recently left the club. He will be assisted by Cecil Lee and Peter Cosby. Donnelly’s assistant, Terry Kitchener, has also left Roker Park.
June 2: Arlesey Town have appointed Lee Cowley as their new manager. In an announcement on June 1, the Blues named former Dunstable manager Cowley as the man in charge at Hitchin Road. Former Hitchin striker Zema Abbey has been named assistant manager.
June 2: Stevenage Borough have released four young players who have been deemed surplus to requirements. Liam McDevitt, Eliot Buchanan, George Brinkman and Zak Burke have all joined James Russell and Jack Bradshaw who were released last season. Chairman Phil Wallace said "It was difficult to let these kids go but the gap from where they're at and what we need to compete for promotion is just huge. None of the lads have a chance of making it into Boro’s squad next season so it's best to let them move on lower down, get regular first team games somewhere and develop in their own time".
May 20: Arlesey Town have sacked manager Matt Courbold. His departure follows weeks of speculation about the former Dagenham player's position.
Arlesey Town will play host to Courbold's old team in a pre-season game on July 11.
May 20: Stotfold's Under-18s Academy side has won the Ridgeons League Championship play-off final, beating Great Yarmouth 3-2 at Diss Town. Stotfold had previously won the league's West Division when they faced Cornard United in the play-off semi-finals, a 3-0 success taking them through to meet favourites Great Yarmouth.
May 11: Baldock Town go into the close season full of confidence after finishing third in the debut season in the Premier Division of the Herts Senior County League. Baldock ended the campaign with a 3-0 win at Evergreen, completing an impressive run-in that saw them lose just once in their last 18 league games. In their final home game, at the County Ground, Baldock beat Bedmond 19-0. Harry Holland scored four times, Josh Furness netted a double hat-trick, Craig Skelton scored five and Nick Stilwell, Sam Crow, Lee Rusbridge and David Rees grabbed one apiece.
April 25: Biggleswade Town won the Spartan South Midlands League this afternoon thanks to a 3-2 win against Chalfont St.Peter. They pipped Harefield United to the title by the goal difference of a solitary goal - both were tied on the same number of points. A crowd of 365 spectators were there to witness the victory - more than the Biggleswade derby over Easter and the league's highest gate of the season.The Waders went in front on 20 minutes. From a corner, the ball was swung over to the far post and Mark Webster headed back across – and Kevin Kilroy was there to force the ball over the line. An own goal made it 2-0 shortly before the interval. The Waders were given a scare within five minutes of the restart as the visitors struck back. Chalfont put in a long throw into the box, and the ball came out to Alan Hedley who fired through a crowd of players.On 73 minutes, the Waders made it 3-1, former Hitchin defender Liam Folds heading home. Five minutes later, Chalfont scored again, but Biggleswade held on to claim the title.
April 25: Arlesey secured their Southern League status with a win over Romulus. The home side started well and won a penalty on 12 minutes but Lee Allen’s spot-kick was aimed straight at Romulus keeper Matt Sargeant.
It was no surprise when Arlesey scored after half an hour, Matthew Clark’s ball was crossed from the right by Jamie Osbourne for Ryan Francis to tap in at the far post.
Romulus striker Tyrone Fahan was twice by sought-after Arlesey goalkeeper James Russell in the closing stages. The Blues almost scored again when Matt Kimani blasted against the post
June 28: Slough Town are to submit a revised proposal to Slough Borough Council's overview and scrutiny panel next month to develop the Arbour Vale site next to The West Wing in Stoke Road.The homecoming would end years of misery for loyal fans who have seen their favourites play at a variety of grounds, including Wexham, Windsor and Beaconsfield. The club currently ground-shares with Beaconsfield SYCOB at Holloways Park, in Slough Road.
June 28: AFC Sudbury believe they have pulled off a coup this week after landing highly rated Colchester United teenager Perry Sansford. The 18-year-old striker was released by the League One club in April but Sudbury manager Nicky Smith believes the tall targetman will be a hit at King's Marsh."I am more than happy after signing Perry," said Smith. "He is a quick and powerful forward and I am sure he will fit in."
June 2: Atherstone Town are on the brink of naming a new manager after Jimmy Ginnelly was sacked following the club’s play-off defeat by Chasetown. Chairman Adie Burr has a big list of candidates to choose from, but Ginnelly’s former assistant, Dale Belford, has ruled himself out of the running. Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Graham Hyde is among the favourites for the job, but others include Lee Glover, Tony Hemmings and Steve Farmer. Ginnelly, meanwhile, has told local media that the future is bleak for the Adders after his dismissal.
May 20: Former Hitchin defender David Deeney has joined Corby Town as the Steelmen prepare for life in the Blue Square South. Deeney, who left Hitchin in 2008, had one season with Hemel Hempstead
May 11: Farnborough manager Francis Vines has paid the price for failing to take his club into the Blue Square South. Following Farnborough’s home defeat in the play-offs, at the hands of Gloucester, Vines and his management team were shown the door by the club. Farnborough claim it was not solely down to missing out on promotion, but also a desire to have more entertaining football at Cherrywood Road. Vines was in the job just one season, taking over after Farnborough won promotion to the Premier.They lost just five games in 42 in the league.
May 11: Aylesbury United will groundshare at Leighton Town in 2009-10 after their existing agreement with Chesham United broke down. Aylesbury’s offer to Chesham was deemed unacceptable by the club, so the Ducks sought a new ground. Meanwhile, Aylesbury continue to see a new home in their own town. One solution tabled was a ground share at Haywoods Way.
April 25: Over 1,900 people saw Corby lift the BGB Premier title with a stunning 5-0 win against relegated Banbury United. Leon Mettam put the home side in front a minute before half-time. Steve Towers doubled the lead on the hour and Mettam made sure of the title 15 minutes from time. Corby then netted two goals from Joe Francis, the first after a great run through the Banbury defence on 77 minutes and the second a tap-in from Steve Diggin's cross two minutes from time. Meanwhile, Farnborough won 3-0 at Stourbridge and finished runners-up - they will face Hemel Hempstead in the play-off. Gloucester will face Cambridge City in the other game.
April 25: Hemel Hempstead clinched their play-off place after beating fellow challengers Gloucester at Vauxhall Road.
Drew Roberts gave Hemel the lead after seven minutes but two minutes later, Jack Pitcher levelled for the visitors. Hemel's winning goal came from Anthony Thomas, who netted after 36 minutes. The game drew 684 people to Hemel.
April 25: Clevedon avoided relegation despite losing their final match of the season, to complete a remarkable turnaround under manager Nick Tucker. Banbury's 5-0 thrashing at Corby Town and Hitchin's 2-1 defeat meant Clevedon finished two points clear of the relegation zone, even though they failed to pick up any points against Oxford. The visitors looked the more likely to break the deadlock, but Danny Greaves made two fine saves to deny Darren Pond. Clevedon started the second period much brighter and wasted several opportunities to open the scoring in the first 20 minutes. Although the visitors did not create many clear-cut chances, the pressure eventually paid off when Michael Lyon's low cross left substitute Mark Bell with a simple finish on 86 minutes.
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Comments
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(Posted on 2009-05-15 09:57:00 by )
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Southern League Eastern Division as listed on Tony Kempster site
AFC Sudbury
Arlesey Town
Atherstone Town
Aylesbury United
Banbury United
Barton Rovers
Bedworth United
Biggleswade Town
Bishops Cleeve
Bromsgrove Rovers
Bury Town
Chesham United
Hitchin Town
Leighton Town
Lowestoft Town
Romulus
Rothwell Town
Soham Town Rangers
Stourport Swifts
Sutton Coldfield Town
Ware
Woodford United
(Posted on 2009-05-11 16:19:00 by )
June 28: Coach Stuart Pearce has urged his England players to show character when they take on Germany in Monday's European Under-21 Championships final. England beat Sweden on penalties after letting slip a 3-0 half-time lead to reach the final for the first time since 1984, when they beat Spain 3-0. "The team who has the most guts, takes their chances and maybe has enough fit players will win," said Pearce. "We came here to win, now we want to take the trophy home."
June 2: Chelsea have confirmed Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager following the departure of the popular Guus Hiddink. Ancelotti was released by AC Milan this week.
May 10:Whitley Bay added another FA Vase to their trophy cabinet on Sunday as two first half goals proved enough to see off Glossop North End in The Final at Wembley. First half goals from strike duo Lee Kerr and Paul Chow proved enough to win the FA Vase for Whitley Bay, who also lifted The Vase in 2002.
May 10: Manchester United went back to the top of the Premier with a 2-0 win over neighbours Manchester City. Meanwhile, Chelsea trounced Arsenal 4-1 at the Emirates.
Hitchin take on Harefield on July 11 at Norton Road, kick off 11.00am