Hoddesdon Town 4-1 May & Baker

Hopes were high for both teams at Lowfield for the final game of 2024. The match saw 7th take on 8th and it was Hoddesdon Town who extended their lead over May & Baker with a convincing 4-1 win to move up to 6th in the table. It was a thoroughly entertaining spectacle that was enjoyed by the home support and lit up a rather grey day.

Simon Riddle was missing a few key names with Blue Gallagher still recovering from an injured ankle and Bailey Collins suspended for this one. Jason Brown returned to come into the midfield and there was a boost with Jimmy Agnew recovering in time from the knock he sustained against Cannons Wood last time out. New signing from Leverstock Green, Morgan Elliot-Grout, was also named on the bench and we extend a warm welcome to him.

The floodlights were on and the match got underway in a scrappy but open fashion. It was the young May & Baker side that switched into a rhythm quicker though and Jack Ferris was on hand after 14 minutes to react to a concentration lapse in the Hoddesdon back line and finish well to put his side one up. This gave the game some life with some high tempo football that was seeing chances at both ends. With 31 minutes played, Connor Bolton made a trademark run deep into the May & Baker area and fizzed a low ball into the six-yard box where Jason Brown was unable to quite twist his feet in time and the ball was sent agonisingly wide.

Hoddesdon were having the upper hand now but were yet to find the end product needed. Cue “Captain Fantastic”, Jack Gibbs to lead by example and spark the leveler. A marauding run from left back saw him exchange a neat one-two with Harry Carter on the edge of the area, bring the ball inside with his right, and then slot past the outrushing keeper with his left to make it 1-1 after 40 minutes played. You can see that goal here.

There was another chance shortly after this as Connor Bolton narrowly shot wide, but with half time approaching, a good run into the Hoddesdon box saw the ball knocked past the advancing Liam Nugent, some contact was made, and the player went down. The referee pointed to the spot and a yellow card was shown to the Hoddesdon keeper, despite his protests. Nugent has an impressive record at penalty saves and there was hope from the home fans that “The Viking” would add another one to his collection. The expectation was rewarded as he dived low to his right, stayed big and was able to block the effort from Freddie Blackman. The ball was scrambled away, and the momentum was now firmly with the Lilywhites as the first half finished 1-1. You can see Liam’s save, and the turning point for the match, here.

The second half got underway with the May & Baker players determined to turn the tide and admirably giving it a real go, but Hoddesdon were exerting their dominance confidently. After 57 minutes, a Connor Bolton corner from the right was expertly delivered onto the head of Reece Barnett who had made a perfectly timed run into the box. The header went the wrong side of the post though, but the warning signs were there for the visitors. With 60 played, Jason Brown was starting to make his presence felt with close control and probing runs. It was some excellent work from him in the box that meant the ball found its way to Connor Bolton to apply a finish as sharp as his new haircut and give Hoddesdon a deserved 2-1 lead with his 13th goal of the season.

67 minutes gone and Arnis Lala was finding some space now too and showed good skills to create a shooting opportunity which the young May & Baker keeper, Oliver Beadle, did well to keep out. 3 minutes later and Connor Bolton was again finding routes into the box. His shot was saved but the ball deflected out and then bounced back across the six-yard box. Ben Clarke was not going to miss an opportunity like that, and he pivoted well to send a scissored right foot smash high into the goal to make it 3-1. You can see that goal here.

Hoddesdon were not done yet and the attacking players were enjoying themselves now. After 82 minutes, Lala showed some good control and found Carter, a pass to Bolton and a shot was attempted but fell to Jason Brown who, unperturbed by his first half miss, found the back of the net to make it 4-1. Some substitutions followed with Barker, Tanak and Roads coming on, plus a debut for Morgan Elliott-Grout, to ensure that Hoddesdon saw this out comfortably for an excellent win that sees the playoff push continue.

Thank you to everyone who attended the game and to all our supporters who have backed the club this year. We wish you all a very Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you soon as we host Newbury Forest on the 4th January at Lowfield. All welcome!

Up the Hoddy!

TEAM - Nugent, Agnew (Barker ‘85), Gibbs © (MoM), Riddle, Barnett, Hamill, Lala (Elliot-Grout ‘83), Brown, Clarke (Roads ‘85), Carter (Tanak ‘83), Bolton