Hoddesdon Town return to cup action this Saturday with a trip to Spartan South Midlands Division Two side Tring Corinthians, in what promises to be a fiercely contested Herts Senior Centenary Trophy tie at Icknield Way. Kick-off is at 3pm.

For Simon Riddle’s side, the fixture represents a much-needed change of scenery. After a tough start to life in the league this season — still without a win and sitting bottom with just one point — the cup offers an opportunity to lift spirits and rediscover the winning feeling. And with Hoddesdon’s proud recent history in this competition, there’s every reason to believe the players will be fired up for it.

The Lilywhites are no strangers to success in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy. It’s a competition that holds a special place in the club’s modern story — one they famously won as recently as 2024, also under Riddle’s management, after a dramatic campaign that ended in silverware. That triumph remains a cherished memory for the fans, players, and staff, and Saturday’s visit to Tring offers a chance to spark another memorable run.

But make no mistake: this will be no walkover. Tring Corinthians may sit one tier below Hoddesdon in the football pyramid, but their form and confidence make them a real threat. Competing strongly in Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands League, Tring currently occupy ninth place, with five wins, two draws, and four defeats from their opening eleven matches — an impressive return that puts them firmly in the top half of the table. Their home record might not look dominant on paper (no wins from six), but their away form has been outstanding — five wins from seven on the road — showing that they’re more than capable of producing results when it matters. They’ve scored 21 goals and conceded 15, demonstrating both attacking intent and defensive resilience.

Looking through their squad, it’s clear that Tring have a number of players who could cause problems. Alfie Janes is their standout attacking force, with six goals in thirteen appearances, while Aaron Adeniji and Furkan Cankurt have both netted three times apiece. Pelius Britto has been another consistent performer, chipping in with three goals in twelve games, while Jeremy Audic and Michael Adeyemi have been ever-presents in midfield.

Discipline could play a part — a handful of their players have already picked up multiple yellow cards and even a couple of red cards between them — suggesting that Hoddesdon may be able to exploit moments of frustration or ill-discipline if they can get on top early. From a team perspective, Tring’s season has been a story of grit and gradual progress. They’ve shown they can mix it with some of the league’s best — drawing with title-chasers Caddington and pushing sides like Totternhoe and Bovingdon close. Their results over the past couple of months have been mixed, with strong performances in September (two wins and a draw) followed by a couple of narrow defeats in October.

For Hoddesdon, this cup tie provides a clean slate — a welcome chance to reset, regroup, and remind themselves what they’re capable of. The league campaign has been a frustrating one so far, with performances not always matching effort or commitment. But the cup offers something different: the freedom to play without pressure, to rediscover the energy and belief that carried the team to last season’s trophy success.

Simon Riddle is expected to name a strong side, with the intention of going deep in the competition again. The manager will be urging his players to set aside league form and focus on producing the kind of disciplined, attacking football that has made Hoddesdon such a dangerous cup side in recent years. The likes of Jack Gibbs, Bailey Eden and Blue Gallagher could play key roles in turning the tide of momentum and restoring some confidence to the camp.

For the supporters, too, this is an exciting fixture — a short trip across Hertfordshire, a proper grassroots ground, and a cup competition that’s delivered some unforgettable moments for the club in recent times. The Herts Senior Centenary Trophy might not carry the glamour of the FA Vase or the big league derbies, but it has become part of Hoddesdon Town’s DNA. If the Lilywhites can rediscover their spark and produce the kind of performance that saw them lift the trophy just 18 months ago, there’s every chance this could be the turning point in their season.

Expect a committed and competitive 90 minutes at Icknield Way — a classic cup tie between two sides with everything to play for. Tring will be confident of an upset, but Hoddesdon will travel determined to remind everyone why they’re former champions of this very competition.

Kick-off: 3:00pm
Venue: Icknield Way, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 5HJ
Competition: Herts Senior Centenary Trophy

It’s all to play for — and with cup pedigree on their side, Hoddesdon will be hoping this is where their season finally turns a corner.

#COYL