An enforced 18 day break since the 4-1 home win against May & Baker on the 28th of December means that this is the first fixture of the new year for the Lilywhites, as they continue their efforts to secure a play-off place. It remains to be seen whether the down time will serve as a well earned break and a chance to recharge, or a disruption to continuity.

Saturday's trip to Basildon was postponed due to the freezing weather conditions but with the temperature rising this week and the artificial pitch in place at Billericay's ground, the game is sure to go ahead.

Hutton currently occupy 4th place so it is imperative that Hoddesdon do their best to chase down one of the contenders for a top 5 spot. Six points separate the sides with Hoddesdon in 7th place but the lads do have five games in hand over their hosts. A win would close that gap and spur them on to even greater things this season.

Hutton suffered a 2-0 away defeat to AS London on Saturday and the Lilywhites will be hoping they can inflict some more misery. Our host's home record reads won 6, drawn 1 and lost 6 so there is potential for Hoddesdon to come away from Essex with something. However, Maxwell Appauh and Elliott Howson may have something to say about that. Howson scored two in the recent 4-3 home win against FC Baresi and Appauh is in remarkable form of late, scoring 6 goals in 6 games for his side, as both of them look to replace the goals lost after non league journeyman Stuart Zanone left them last year.

In this fixture last season, Hoddesdon claimed a very valuable point and had to work hard for the draw.

Unsurprisingly, the hosts started confidently and pushed the Lilywhites back on the defensive from the word go. Despite being under pressure, though, the Lilywhites kept a good shape and restricted their opponents to only half-chances which were dealt with reasonably effectively. It was therefore disappointing when one piece of poor defending led to an opening goal for Hutton in the 31st minute. A break down the right flank resulted in a cross to the far post where Joshua Boxall volleyed home from close range.

Having broken the deadlock, the hosts probably believed that they would go on to finish the job in the second half. But, if they did, they were in for a surprise because the Lilywhites came out with a more positive attitude and effectively dominated possession, reducing the hosts to relying upon long balls forward.

That having been said, the hosts were proving very difficult to break down and chances at both ends were at a premium. The Lilywhites did, however, finally find a way through in the 82nd minute when a good move through the inside right channel finished with Dion Laughton laying the ball into the path of Callum Bennison who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.

It was no more than the Lilywhites deserved and will hopefully serve as a reminder that they can come away from Hutton with something.

Man-of-the Match that day was George Rankin

With 18 days since the last game, team news is sparse but we know that the gaffer will be hopinf some of his injuries and suspensions will have eased a little by the time kick off comes around.

Entry at Billericay's ground is Adults £6, Concessions £4 and U16s free.

Kick off is 7:45pm.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL