Hitchin ended last season in third place, only to get knocked out by Hungerford Town in the play-off semifinals. Ahead of this season they have made no less than 8 new signings in order to improve on last season and gain promotion. They have however lost last season’s top scorer Jonny McNamara to Hemel Hempstead and the hope is that one of the new signings will fill his shoes and match the 17 goals scored last season.
Though promotion will be a tough ask, they should be able to get off to a good start when Cinderford comes for a visit today.
Team news: Brett Donnelly and Josh Bickerstaff miss out due to vacation, Sam Barker is out injured and Ben Walster is suspended.
Cinderford are newcomers in the league and have had a difficult summer. They lost almost the entire squad that won them promotion last season, as well as their manager John Brough. In fact, only three players: Josh Nelmes, Sam Hunt and Sammie Hicks are still at the club from last season and newly appointed coaches Allan Gough and Chris Burns have had to act quickly to get a competitive squad together.
There are needless to say a lot of new faces in the team and it might take them a few weeks find their way.
Team news: Cinderford will have to do without defender Lee Hartshorne and midfielder Louis Feeley.
Date & Time: 6 Aug 2016 – 21.05 CEST
Competition: Evo-Stik Southern Premier League (England)
Match: Hitchin – Cinderford
Pick 1: Hitchin 3-way hcp -1
Highest Odds: 2.05 @ StanJames
Stake: 10 EUR
Rating: 2/5
Result: 4-3, bet lost.
