Match Preview

The Lilywhites complete their league season on Saturday in what can only be described as a bit of a dead rubber.

With the league title already decided, play off places cemented and all three relegation spots nailed down, the only thing on the line this weekend is pride and finishing strongly. Indeed, Hoddesdon cannot improve on 9th place and would have to lose by more than four goals for 10th placed May & Baker to overtake them on goal difference, with the former having already completed their 42 games.

In the previous meeting between these sides at Lowfield, Hoddesdon record one of their biggest victories of the season. On the 30th of September, the Lilywhites put 5 goals past their opponents without reply, to register an impressive win.

Coming off the back of a welcome midweek victory at St Margaretsbury in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy, the Lilywhites were looking to build on that success and take valuable points against visitors, Burnham Ramblers, to lift them away from the foot of the table. Through circumstances beyond their control the Lilywhites had found themselves having played fewer games than all the other teams in the league and needing to play some serious catch-up.

The visitors came to Lowfield sitting near the top of the table and, for the first twenty minutes or so, they showed why. They provided a lot of aerial pressure on the home goal from a succession of free-kicks and very long throw-ins; all launched into the penalty area.

The Lilywhites withstood the pressure with some very disciplined defending and gradually they worked their way into the game began to pose threats at the other end of the pitch. Dan Acquaye was causing problems for the visitors down their left flank and it was a late tackle on him at the end of a surging run towards the box that led to the free kick from which the Lilywhites opened the scoring.

It came on the half-hour mark and it was Conor Bolton who took the responsibility for the kick, striking it sweetly past the wall into the bottom corner of the goal to give the Lilywhites the lead. This proved to be a turning point in the game and the Lilywhites came close to doubling their advantage only two minutes later when Narcis Filipe hit the top of the bar with a curling shot from the edge of the box, following a good run and pass from Blue Gallagher. The visitors continued with their policy of ‘bombing’ the box with long throws and free-kicks but they were unable to break down the Lilywhites defence and with added time being played at the end of the first half, the Lilywhites grabbed a second goal. Connor Bolton's free-kick from out on the right touchline, found the head of Sam Cross and, in turn, the top corner of the net.

If their 2-0 half-time lead slightly flattered the Lilywhites, their second half performance was worthy of more than the three further goals that it achieved. Tyler Blackwood was thwarted by a fine save only two minutes in and then, soon after, the visitors twice in close succession blocked close-range, goal-bound efforts on the line and scrambled the ball to safety. Further opportunities to add a third followed, the best of which fell to Blue Gallagher following good approach work f, rom Narcis Filipe in the 69th minute, but his 20-yard strike flew over the bar. The third goal was not long in coming, though; a 50/50 challenge near the half-way line resulted in a Burnham defender lofting the ball over his goalkeepers head. It was no more than the Lilywhites deserved and they were now in total control and threatening a goal with almost every attack. It therefore came as no surprise when Blue Gallagher was felled in the box at the expense of a penalty which he himself coolly converted to add a fourth goal. Four minutes had been added when Tyler Blackwood was rewarded for a fine performance with a clinical finish when he moved onto an excellent through-ball from Sam Cross.

The final 5-0 scoreline was ultimately emphatic coming, as it did, after a hard-fought opening 30 minutes that suggested the outcome would be much closer. Narcis Filip took the man of the match award on that day. View the photo gallery from that game HERE.

It has been a devastating slide down the table for our hosts who started the season brightly and looked to be one of the contenders for the title. They won all four of their opening league games and set the pace early on. However, just 2 wins in 17 throughout September, October and November resulted in a big descent towards the foot of the league, which has ultimately ended in relegation alongside St Margaretsbury and Park View, firmly planted at the bottom of the table as they are.

It remains to be seen how many sides will actually go down this season, with much to be decided at a league AGM, sometime in the summer.

Our opponent's league records reads P41 W11 D4 L26, amassing 37 points and a goal difference of -42. 72 goals have been scored with 114 conceded. From their 20 home games, the record is P20 W6 D1 L13 F37 A57.

Last time out, The Ramblers succumbed to a 2-1 defeat away at Wormley Rovers, an Aidan Brown goal the consolation in defeat. Brown has 10 goals in 20 appearances this season and will look to add to that tally on Saturday. He is considerably behind in the golden boot stakes for the club however, with hot shot Karl Swanborough boasting an impressive 24 goals in 39 appearances. That puts him in 7th place for the league's Golden Boot and is clearly a dangerous player.

Forward Leon Isaac holds the record for most appearances this season with 42, in which time he has notched 7 goals. Defender William Putt has worn the armband most recently and has 24 appearances this season.

Manager Pierce Anderson commented on X after the Wormley defeat 'Too little, too late yesterday. Defending well in open play for most part but conceding from two set pieces was killer. Ended up creating some great chances after bringing it to 2-1 but gave ourselves a mountain to climb against good quality opposition...'

Former Halstead Under 23s manager Pierce, took over the role of first team manager on the 8th of January, alongside assistant Elliott Oliver, after Kudus Oyenuga departed the club by mutual consent following a 5-4 home defeat to Harlow. Shortly before his departure after a 4-3 defeat to Newbury Forest, Oyenuga tweeted 'To many times this season we’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb, conceding sloppy goals & not being clinical at the other end. Again enough chances to win the game but at least get a point. PS the officiating at today’s game was scandalous. They should give there money to charity...'

However, for new manager Pierce, four wins in his fourteen games in charge hasn't helped the Burnham-on-Crouch based side's league position, and relegation was confirmed with the narrow defeat to Wormley Rovers.

Burnham Ramblers were established in 1900. They played in the North Essex League and the South East Essex League, as well as the Mid-Essex League. They also briefly played in the Premier Division of the South Essex League from 1933 until 1937.

In 1985 Burnham moved up to the Essex Senior League. In 1999–2000 they finished third, missing out on the title on goal difference. They were runners-up in 2004–05, also winning the Tolleshunt D'Arcy Cup, and won the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy in 2008–09, beating Enfield 1893 2–1 in the final. They won it again in 2010–11 with a 4–2 win over Eton Manor after extra time. In 2012–13 they won the league, earning promotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League; they also won the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy again with an 8–2 win against Enfield 1893. However, they finished bottom of the division in 2014–15 and were relegated back to the Essex Senior League. In 2017–18 the club finished second-from-bottom of the Essex Senior League and were relegated to the new Division One South of the Eastern Counties League.

After their formation, the club used four different grounds before moving to Wick Road in 1927. A new stand was opened in 1962 with a friendly match against Arsenal. They relocated to Leslie Field in 1987, with the first match at the new ground being an FA Vase game against Pennant on 5 September. The ground was officially opened with a friendly match against Colchester United, which ended in a 3–3 draw. A seated stand was built backing onto the clubhouse, with a covered terrace on the other side of the pitch and an uncovered terrace behind one goal.

For Hoddesdon, Dion Laughton managed to grab a consolation goal midweek to move him one closer to Connor Bolton, but it will take one hell of a performance to overtake the left sided playmaker, who is five clear on twelve. Captain and Player of the Year Jack Gibbs is free to compete, despite his red card on Tuesday night. Gibbs however will miss the first three games of the new season after that dismissal. George Rankin collected the Man of the Match award at Southend Manor and many will look to him to be the spark for a final three points of the season. Nugent remains sidelined with injury so Gannon will continue in goal.

Defender Jack Riddle is sunning himself in Florida so Gibbs defensive partner will once again be missing, but the management team have good options in the back line to cover the absence. Connor Casey had to be withdrawn on Tuesday after turning his ankle so it remains to be seen whether or not he will be part of the match day squad. Long term injured Harrison Cage and Narcis Felip are not expected to feature.

Kick Off at The Leslie Field Stadium is 3pm and entry is £6 Adult, £4 Concession and U18 Free. All travelling support is welcome.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL