An opportunity to progress to a cup final awaits Hoddesdon this weekend as they travel to Letchworth Garden City Eagles in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy.

Last time out, the Lilywhites eventually succumbed to a heavy defeat against Hutton FC in the League Challenge Trophy on Wednesday evening but manager Simon Riddle on that occasion decided to rest several first team players and give valuable minutes to some of his squad. An opening rocket from Ben Clarke, some 35 yards out, eventually proved to be fruitless but the first half was a good showing from the lads and there is much hope that this Saturday will result in a different outcome.

The winners of this match will face Royston Town Under 23s after their 2-0 home win v Oracle Components at Garden Walk last Saturday. Goals from Jack Davies and Danny Baulk sealed their passage to the showpiece final, with the date of that match to be confirmed.

Hoddesdon's route to this stage included a 2-1 away win at St Margaretsbury, a 4-2 win on penalties v Hertford Heath and a 3-0 home win against Cuffley. Letchworth Garden City Eagles have overcome Colney Heath Reserves 4-0 at home, Everett Rovers at home 2-1 followed by a 4-3 penalty win away from home at London Colney back in late November, to get to the semi final stage.

LWCE ply their trade at Step 6 in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One. They were formed in 1979, however the beginnings of the club date back to 1973 at Briar Patch Children’s Home when Vince Paige took over as head of the home. The children at the home wanted a football team so Vince decided to form one with the children from the home and friends. They played against the local school teams. Some tours were organised to Brighton and Huddersfield where the children camped out and played local teams. Later the team became known as the Westbury Eagles covering the school and the local estate with support from the fathers. In 1979 they entered 2 teams into the league – an under 12 and an under 14 team – with a club membership of 30 and the Garden City Eagles as it was then known was formed. Vince Paige was the club Chairman and Bob Wright was the club Secretary. During the early eighties the Garden City Eagles got approval to be called the Letchworth Garden City Eagles and acquired the current grounds between the Letchworth Town football ground and the Leisure Centre.

Our opponents currently sit in 17th position in the league with a record of 17 points from 23 games played, winning 4, drawing 5, losing 14 whilst scoring 31 goals and conceding 58. With just one win in their last ten attempts, it's fair to say that it has been a tough season thus far for the Pixmore Playing Fields outfit but a good run in this competition will surely have boosted confidence going into this match. Their last game was a 4-2 away defeat to Buckingham FC at Stratford Fields but goals from Austin Christie and Rory Gillham ensured it wasn't all one way traffic.

Gillham himself now has 5 goals for the season in 14 appearances and will need to be watched by the Lilywhite defence. William Blair also has 5 goals this season and only Shay Kelly can boast a better goalscoring record with 6 in 23 appearances. Captain Danny Charles has featured in 20 games this season, wearing the armband 19 times and will once again be looking to drag his side over the finish line. Charles is well known to Hoddesdon having been a player for the club back in 2015 during the Gavin Kelsey era. A player with undoubted talent who would have played more had serious injury not blighted his time at the club.

First Team manager Simon Efford has 14 different goalscorers in his ranks across 55 players used this season, so competition for places in this game will be tight. Home advantage gives our hosts a slight edge in this game but in 13 home games across all competitions this season, just two wins have been carved out, with 12 goals scored, so Hoddesdon will hope that they can overcome a partisan crowd and progress to the final.

After resting several key players midweek, manager Simon Riddle will hopefully have a strong squad to choose from. The exclusion of players like Jack Gibbs, Jack Riddle, Connor Bolton, Narcis Filip, Liam Nugent, Sam Cross and Blue Gallagher will potentially mean a well rested but hungry starting XI will be ready to take to the field at the weekend and put Letchworth Garden City Eagles to the sword.

Kick Off is 3pm and all travelling support is welcome.

LGCE advise the following regarding travelling to their ground:

'Our ground is between Herts County Ground and the Letchworth Leisure Centre on Baldock Road. Postcode for Leisure Centre is SG6 2ER. For the entrance and carpark take the same exit off the Baldock Road roundabout as the Leisure Centre. At the roundabout drive past the North Herts Leisure Centre into their car park. At the bottom of the car park take a ramp into car parking next to the rugby club and take an immediate right turn down a single width carriageway at the back of the rugby club building. At the end take a left turn and immediate right into the Eagles car park. Please use our car park rather than the Leisure Centre’s or the Rugby Club’s.'

Enjoy the game and Come On You Lilywhites!!