Herts Charity Shield – Saturday 19 July 2025
Harpenden Town 2–1 Hoddesdon Town
HT 0-0 | FT 2-1
Harpenden goals: Calim (OG 66), Bailey (90+10) | Hoddesdon goal: Edwards (67)

Hoddesdon Town’s 2025/26 campaign began with drama, controversy, and no shortage of grit as they suffered a heartbreaking late defeat away to Harpenden Town in the Herts Charity Shield. In a fiercely contested encounter that had just about everything – including a red card, a missed penalty, a heroic goalkeeping display and a 100th-minute winner – it was Elliot Bailey’s injury-time strike that proved decisive, denying the visitors a shootout and sealing a 2–1 win for the hosts.

It was a cruel ending for a depleted and defiant Hoddesdon side who, despite playing over half the game with ten men following a hotly disputed red card, had fought back to level the match and were just seconds away from taking it to penalties. But football, as ever, can be brutally unsentimental – and with ten minutes of added time played, Harpenden found the final punch.

Still, there was no shortage of positives for Town boss Simon Riddle, whose team showed commendable resilience and flashes of real quality in what was their first competitive fixture of the season. Against a strong Harpenden side full of attacking talent, Hoddesdon more than held their own, and had it not been for a harsh sending off and a last-gasp winner, they might well have been celebrating progression to the next round.

Strong Start in Front of a Lively Crowd
With a healthy crowd in attendance at Rothamsted Park, both sides made energetic starts. Harpenden, backed by a vocal home following, looked sharp in possession, while Hoddesdon worked hard to press and disrupt in midfield.

Early on, it was the hosts who created the better chances. Hoddy captain Jack Gibbs marshalled the backline well, allowing the likes of Jason Brown and Ata Tanak to push forward. On 12 minutes, a double effort from the hosts was somehow blocked – first by goalkeeper Reece Grundy, and then by a recovering Hoddesdon defender, as the visitors showed the kind of bravery that would define their performance.

Moments later, Connor Casey had a sight of goal for Town but couldn’t keep his shot down.

Harpenden had the next real opening on 37 minutes when a well-directed cross into the Hoddesdon box was met by a strong header, only for the ball to loop narrowly over the bar. Despite the hosts having more of the territory, Hoddesdon’s defence – led by the committed Jack Riddle and skipper Jack Gibbs – held firm, with Grundy already proving to be a key figure between the sticks.

Controversial Turning Point
The game’s key moment – and most controversial – arrived just before half-time. Harpenden caused chaos in the Hoddesdon box, and amid a scramble, the referee pointed to the spot and brandished a red card to defender Jonah Evans for a handball on the line. However, the decision sparked protests from players and fans alike. Most in attendance felt Hoddesdon’s goalkeeper had clearly been fouled in the build-up, and that the infringement should have resulted in a free-kick the other way. Instead, Town were down to ten men and facing a penalty.

Up stepped Danny Webb, but Grundy – having already impressed – dived brilliantly to palm away the poorly struck spot-kick, drawing loud cheers from the travelling support. Despite the save, the damage was done. Hoddesdon were now a man light and facing a full-strength Harpenden side for the entirety of the second half.

All Square After Goals at Both Ends
The second half began with the visitors restructured and dogged, introducing Jimmy Agnew and Sanyang in a bid to bring fresh legs and contain the Harpenden attacks. The opening exchanges after the break saw Harpenden begin to dominate possession, and Hoddesdon were forced into deep defensive lines, hoping to spring counterattacks through substitute Tommy Edwards and Harrison Cage.

The breakthrough came on 66 minutes – and it was one of the cruellest ways to fall behind. Harpenden worked the ball into the danger zone, where a flurry of pressure ended with Daniel Calim inadvertently turning the ball into his own net. Grundy had no chance. It was a hammer blow for the ten men, who had battled so hard to keep the game goalless.

Yet, incredibly, Hoddesdon hit back within sixty seconds.

Tommy Edwards, introduced minutes earlier, picked up the ball just inside the Harpenden half and set off on a marauding run through the centre of the pitch. Evading two challenges with pace and purpose, he found himself one-on-one and calmly slotted the ball beneath the goalkeeper to make it 1–1. It was a sensational solo effort and a reward for the visitors’ fighting spirit.

The equaliser gave Hoddesdon renewed energy, and though Harpenden continued to see more of the ball, the away side defended superbly. Grundy again pulled off two sensational saves in the 85th minute showing his class to all in attendance.

Last-Minute Heartbreak
With 90 minutes up and the score still level, the game looked destined for penalties. But the referee indicated a massive ten minutes of added time, which lifted Harpenden and further tested the weary legs of Hoddesdon’s players.

Still they held on – bodies on the line, last-ditch tackles, and more acrobatics from Grundy. But deep into stoppage time, the hosts finally found the breakthrough.

A ball dropped loose inside the box, and Elliot Bailey pounced. With a crowd of players between him and goal, he managed to find the only space that mattered – rifling home from to send Harpenden’s players wheeling away in celebration. It was 90+10. And it was 2–1. For Hoddesdon, it was agony. Ten minutes of resolute defending undone with what was effectively the final kick of the game.

Heroics, Pride and Positives
Despite the result, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Hoddesdon as they look ahead to the new season. The performance of Grundy in goal was nothing short of remarkable – a string of key saves, excellent command of his area, and a penalty stop that deserved a better fate.

At the back, Jack Gibbs and Jack Riddle stood tall, while Tommy Edwards’ goal and driving presence was a major highlight. Substitute appearances from Sanyang, Smith, Agnew and Anin also showed the strength in depth and versatility within the squad.

Speaking after the match, Vice Chairman Roger Merton praised the team’s efforts:

“It’s a heartbreaking way to lose, but we couldn’t be prouder of the lads. Going down to ten men was hugely unfair – we all saw the foul on our keeper – and they ran themselves into the ground for each other. Reecer Grundy was unbelievable. I think Harpenden know they were in a real game today.”

“This was our first proper test of the season, and we showed incredible character. If we take this spirit into the league, we’ll have a very good year.”

Team Line-Up
Starting XI:

Riece Grundy
Daniel Calim
Jonah Evans (red card, 43’)
Jack Riddle (Agnew 50’)
Jack Gibbs (c)
Ata Tanak (Anin 52’)
Jason Brown
Freddie Wilkinson
Arnis Lala (Edwards 60’)
Harrison Cage (Smith 60’)
Connor Casey (Sanyang 50')

Substitutes (all used):
12. Josh Smith
14. Jimmy Agnew
15. Josh Anin
16. Malanding Sanyang
17. Tommy Edwards

Next Up
Hoddesdon now turn their attention to the start of their league campaign, buoyed by this brave performance. With the squad showing signs of cohesion and spirit, and several standout individual displays, the future looks promising. The heartbreak of Harpenden might just be the fuel they need. They host another friendly at Lowfield this Tuesday against London Colney, before heading to Lymore Gardens on Friday evening to kick off their Thurlow Nunn Division One South campaign.

We can't wait!

#COYL