There was a certain amount of amazement on Tuesday evening when the match referee went ahead with the game, despite an hours worth of heavy rainfall prior to kick off and large puddles forming on the surface of the pitch at Lowfield. Indeed, at 2-0 down, the game had already become farcical, with NW London's opening goal being the result of the ball getting help up in the surface water and putting the ball on a plate for the opposition striker. However, Hoddesdon rallied before half time to pull one back and eventually ran out comfortable 4-2 winners as they coped with the conditions better than the visitors in the second half. NW London also suffered the indignity of being reduced to ten men after one of their players was caught spitting at a Hoddesdon player and then rightly sent from the field of play for such a gross piece of misconduct.

The chance of Hoddesdon being able to catch this weekend's opponents, Dunmow Town, come the end of the season remains unlikely, even with the three games in hand we have over them, but the lads have certainly shown recently that they are up for the challenge.

Dunmow Town were formed in June 2020, joining the Essex and Suffolk Border League. In 2023, the club was admitted into the Eastern Counties Division One South. Upon formation, Dunmow groundshared with Braintree Town at their Cressing Road ground. In July 2022, it was announced that Dunmow would enter a groundsharing agreement with Heybridge Swifts to play at Scraley Road. Their ultimate aims is to have a ground of their own within the town of Dunmow itself, reach Step 3 and attract crowds of 500.

Manager Paul Hayes is a former professional footballer who made more than 500 appearances for 11 clubs in all three divisions of the English Football League, most notably for Scunthorpe United, Barnsley and Wycombe Wanderers. He also played professionally for Norwich City, Huddersfield Town, Charlton Athletic, Preston North End, Brentford, Crawley Town, Plymouth Argyle and Newport County. He played his latter career in non-League football for Hemel Hempstead Town, AFC Sudbury, Romford, Meridian VP, Faversham Town, Chatham Town and Haverhill Rovers. Hayes has held sporting director roles at non-League clubs Chatham Town and Bowers & Pitsea. He was appointed manager of Dunmow Town in 2023.

Our visitors currently occupy 7th place in the league, with their record reading Played 38, Won 19, Drawn 7, Lost 12, amounting 64 points and a goal difference of +15. In that time they have scored 85 goals and conceded 70. Their away record isn't too shabby, having Played 18, Won 9, Drawn 4, Lost 5, Scoring 38 and Conceding 34. Whilst our opponents have generally enjoyed a good season thus far, they are in a bit of a slump and have fallen out of title contention at the back end of the season. They are without a win in their last 5 attempts, a 3-3 draw at home to Basildon Town last Saturday being their most recent game played, and have just the one win in the last 8 games in all competitions, a 4-3 away win against Burnham Ramblers back on the 17th of February.

All of this leaves Dunmow 16th in the current form table.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that Hoddesdon first played Dunmow Town this season, a game that ended up being a comfortable 4-1 win for Simon Riddle's men at Scraley Road, the home of Heybridge Swifts. Playing on the excellent 4G surface, the Lilywhites’ passing game was given full rein and they took full advantage. The Lilywhites were playing some fine football early on 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 second half saw the Lilywhites 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 in swinging corner from the left, with three minutes of normal time remaining. It was a fantastic win and Cage was duly given the Man of the Match award.

Dunmow's recent dip in form is especially confusing when you consider that within their ranks, they have the league's top goalscorer, Stuart Zanone.

The former Ipswich Town, Ashford United, Thamesmead Town, Welwyn Garden City, Sevenoaks Town, Cheshunt, Herne Bay, Rochester United, Whitham Town, Hythe Town, Greenwich Borough, Chatham Town, VCD Athletic, Takeley, Erith Town, Newhall Rangers, Basildon United and Mildenhall Town striker has scored goals everywhere he has played, no matter what step of the pyramid he has plyed his trade in. Indeed, Zanone scored a club record 47 goals in the Southern Counties East League at Homelands in the 2015/16 season for Ashford United, including SEVEN goals in one league game at Lingfield!

It took him just 58 games to reach 100 goals for Dunmow Town, achieved in November of last year, and last season, he helped himself to no less than SIXTY ONE goals in 36 appearances, as our opponents stormed the Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division. Zanone comfortably leads the league Golden Boot race this season with 30 goals in 27 appearances, and if all of that doesn't serve as a warning to the Lilywhites, nothing will. He grabbed himself a brace in Dunmow's last game, the afore mentioned 3-3 draw at home to Basildon Town and is still in red hot form for his side.

Asa Cansdale can also be considered a threat, with 20 goals in 29 appearances for 'The Royals' this season. Goalkeeper Jordan Hudson skippers the side and can be relied upon when called into action, wearing the armband 27 times in his 30 appearances this season.

You can check out Dunmow Town's website HERE and follow them on Twitter/X HERE.

For Hoddesdon, Bailey Eden grabbed another two goals on Tuesday evening, the second being a particularly fantastic finish, to once again underline his credentials. He has been nothing short of brilliant for the Lilywhites recently, and was unlucky not to be given the Man of the Match award for a second time in quick succession, following his heroics in the Senior Centenary Cup Final. Blue Gallagher was the recipient midweek, just pipping the young Eden to the prize, for another brilliant display in midfield. New signing Kyle Roberts was also on the score sheet for Hoddesdon, grabbing his 4th goal for the club since his arrival and again showing what a good addition to the squad he has been.

With a win, and other results going their way, there is an opportunity for the Lilywhites to claim 10th place in the league on Saturday, consolidating a top half position that was reward for the midweek win against NW London. However, Dunmow will arrive looking to avenge the defeat inflicted upon them by Riddle's men on the 16th of March, and a tough game against very good opposition is certainly in the offing.

Kick Off on Saturday is 3pm and the clubhouse bar and tea bar will be open, serving hot and cold refreshments. Sample our draught range at the bar, with Spanish favourite Cruzcampo Lager, Greene Kings delicious Ice Breaker IPA and Inch's Apple Cider at the taps this weekend.

Entry
Adults £8 / Concessions £5 / Under 12's £2

Youth team players can gain FREE access with up to two parents when wearing their Youth Team shirt.

We accept Cash and Card at Lowfield (excludes American Express)

Enjoy the game.

#COYL