Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One South

Dunmow Town 1 (0) Hoddesdon Town 4 (1)
(Roberts 14’, Cage 58’, 74’, Rankin87’)

The Lilywhites bounced back to form with this impressive win over promotion-chasing, Dunmow Town. Playing on the excellent 4G surface at Heybridge Swifts FC, where Dunmow play their home games, the Lilywhites’ passing game was given full rein and they took full advantage.

With 12 games to come in six weeks, Lilywhites manager, Simon Riddle, recognised the need to keep all of his squad match-fit and made five changes to the team that started the previous game and was forced to bring in the ever-reliable keeper, Ethan Gannon, in place of the suspended Liam Nugent. The strength in depth of the current Lilywhites squad was demonstrated in full in this performance in that all sixteen players got game time and all played their part in a commanding display.

The opening exchanges saw both keen to go on the attack. Jimmy Agnew went on a good run from the back and had his shot at the end of it, saved low down by the keeper. That was in the eighth minute and only two minutes later Ethan Gannon pulled off a good save from a fierce 10-yard strike.

Two minutes after that the Lilywhites had a very good chance to take the lead but Nazrii Krutko volleyed over the bar from close range following a good run and cross from Kyle Roberts. The Lilywhites were playing some fine football at this time and in the 14th minute they found a deserved opening goal. This time it came from a neat Kyle Roberts finish when he fed by a superb defence-splitting pass from the excellent Bailey Eden.

The Lilywhites came close to adding a second in the 18th minute but Arnis Lala could only hit the side-netting from a good position. This let-off had the effect of lifting the hosts and for the remainder of the half, the Lilywhites had to withstand a strong spell of pressure, mainly aerial from a succession of high balls into the box. Centre-half pairing, Jack Riddle and Jack Gibbs, were in good form, though, and they and Ethan Gannon, dealt with everything that was thrown at them – although the latter had a scary moment when he was dispossessed with the ball at his feet. Jack Gibbs came to the rescue with a clearance off the goal-line.

The second half saw the Lilywhites back in control and once Harrison Cage had added a second goal in the 58th minute from a well-struck 25-yard free-kick, the Lilywhites didn’t look back. They were unfortunate to concede a disputed penalty in the 64th minute – duly converted by Stuart Zanone.

This goal seemed to have no impact on the Lilywhites, who continued to press forward and create chances. Conor Casey came on for Arnis Lala and almost immediately created a vital third goal when he broke down the right and crossed to the far post where Harrison Cage carefully directed his header into the far corner of the goal.

That was in 74th minute and, only two minutes later, Harrison had a wonderful opportunity to net a hat-trick when he moved on to a delicate flick by Dion Laughton but his shot from just inside the box was well-saved by the keeper.

Harrison played his part in the Lilywhites’ fourth goal, however, when George Rankin got the final touch to his inswinging corner from the left, with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Three more points that lifted the Lilywhites up into 13th place in the league after being 22nd and bottom place in mid-January.

Man-of-the Match: Harrison Cage

Team: Ethan Gannon, Jimmy Agnew, Nazarii Krutko (Syd Barker 89’), Jack Riddle, Jack Gibbs, Bailey Eden, Arnis Lala (Conor Casey 68’), Blue Gallagher, Callum Bennison (Dion Laughton 68’), Kyle Roberts (George Rankin 78’) & Harrison Cage (Tobi Prentice 89’).

Unused subs: Guled Ahmed.