Hoddesdon Town’s golden anniversary of their glorious 1975 FA Vase triumph at Wembley was meant to be a day of celebration, nostalgia, and a nod to greatness. With over 70 guests, a buffet worthy of royalty, sunshine drenching Lowfield in warmth, and a crowd buzzing with anticipation — the stage was set for a storybook Saturday.

But while the past glistened in memory, the present came crashing down, as a ruthless and clinical Basildon Town side silenced the party with a devastating 3-0 win that left the home crowd with their heads in their hands.It was a day that reminded everyone just how cruel football can be — and how quickly a celebration can turn into heartbreak.

Before a ball was even kicked, Lowfield basked in a momentous occasion. Saturday marked exactly 50 years to the day since Hoddesdon Town lifted the first-ever FA Vase at Wembley — a legendary moment etched into the club’s DNA. To honour that feat, the club welcomed back many of the players who took to the turf under the Twin Towers on 19th April 1975. These were the men who made history, who put Hoddesdon on the map, and who gave their all in that famous 2-1 win over Epsom & Ewell.

The club pulled out all the stops: a drinks reception in the clubhouse, a generous buffet, and a warm, heartfelt reunion filled with laughter, memories, and misty eyes. Former players mingled with fans, posed for photos and swapped tales from a time when football boots were heavier, shorts shorter, and dreams bigger. It was a moving prelude to the afternoon, culminating in the heroes of ‘75 being introduced on the pitch ahead of kick-off — to a rapturous ovation from a crowd that spanned generations. They lined up alongside the current first-team squad, bridging the decades, linking the past and present.

It was a moment for the ages.

And so the game.

Hoddesdon boss Simon Riddle had hoped to crown the day with a performance worthy of the occasion — and in the early stages, it looked like his side were up for the challenge. Despite losing midfielder George Hamill in the warm-up to injury — with Arnis Lala stepping into the starting XI — Hoddesdon came out the blocks fast, full of energy and intent.

Bailey Eden, lively as ever, stung the palms and flirted with the upright twice in the opening quarter of an hour, while Jason Brown and Harrison Cage displayed sharp feet and clever link-up play in midfield. The first major talking point came on 8 minutes. Basildon looked set to open the scoring as they surged through the middle, but Reece Barnett flew in with a perfectly timed last-ditch tackle. Liam Nugent was able to smother the loose ball — a vital intervention to keep the scores level.

Then Eden — looking every inch the player of the match — let fly with a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner, only for the Basildon keeper to gather safely. But in the 22nd minute, the visitors landed their sucker punch. Hoddesdon were caught flat-footed as Basildon worked the ball down the right. A teasing cross found Luke Winter ghosting in at the far post — and the Basildon No.10 smashed home a crisp half-volley. 0-1.

It was against the run of play. It was against the narrative. It was, frankly, annoying.

Moments later, Hoddesdon had the golden chance to hit back. A beautiful ball was whipped into the six-yard box, and Arnis Lala rose like a salmon — but somehow directed his header over with the goal gaping. A collective groan echoed around the ground. That should have been the equaliser. Then came a moment of pure frustration. Harry Carter jinked into the box, was clearly clipped, and hit the deck. The crowd roared for a penalty. The ref waved play on. Furious faces in the stands. You’ve seen them given.

At the other end, Basildon nearly doubled their lead when Robbie Scanlow let rip from 20 yards. With Nugent rooted, the ball curled agonisingly wide.

Half-time arrived with Hoddesdon trailing — and despite all their flair and creativity, it was Basildon who held the advantage.

At the restart, Fraser McCarthy replaced the excellent Reece Barnett — unclear whether tactical or injury-related — but the intent from Hoddesdon was obvious: they wanted goals. Cage blazed wide from the edge of the area, but it was Bailey Eden once again who came closest to dragging Hoddy back into the game.

In the 55th minute, he received the ball with his back to goal, spun brilliantly, and unleashed a shot destined for the top right corner. It was a certain goal. But Basildon stopper Joe Durrent produced a save for the ages — diving full stretch, somehow clawing the ball out from behind him. Gasps, applause, disbelief. It was, without question, one of the best saves ever seen at Lowfield.

Hoddesdon kept pressing. Jason Brown went down injured on 58 minutes and required lengthy treatment. He carried on — but was later replaced by Connor Casey as Hoddesdon looked to freshen things up.

But on 62 minutes, disaster struck again. From their own corner, Hoddy lost the ball, and Basildon launched a lightning counter. Nugent did well to save the one-on-one, but the warning signs were flashing. Tanak came on for Lala as Riddle rang the changes — but it was to no avail.

In the 72nd minute, Basildon landed the hammer blow. A corner was floated in, and Grant Cumming found himself completely unmarked at the back post. He powered a downward header into the net. 0-2. The heads dropped. The crowd deflated.

Then came the final nail. On 82 minutes, Basildon carved open the Hoddesdon defence once again. Luke Winter, who’d been a menace all afternoon, found space inside the area and rifled a low drive beyond Nugent. 0-3. Game over. Winter’s second of the day. Hoddesdon’s hearts broken.

Tanak was booked moments later for a frustrated shove, while Carter’s final moment of brilliance down the left ended in another missed chance — Eden smashing over from close range. A fitting metaphor for the day. Captain Jack Gibbs had one final effort from a corner, but it sailed over.

The whistle blew. The party ended. The past was glorious. The present, a little way to go still. Manager Simon Riddle cut a frustrated figure on the touchline at full time. While his team played some slick football and showed glimpses of quality, they were ultimately undone by lapses in concentration, poor finishing, and some incredible Basildon goalkeeping. Ultimately, it looked like a typical end of season performance, with the playoffs now an impossibility and games needing to be completed to finish off the season.

It was only right that the honour of choosing the Man of the Match fell to the FA Vase-winning squad — and they were unanimous in their pick. Bailey Eden lit up the game with his pace, movement, and creativity. On another day, he’d have had two or three goals. His attacking intent and willingness to take players on embodied the spirit of Hoddesdon — even in defeat.

And so, with the celebrations now in the rearview mirror, Hoddesdon Town have just one game remaining in the 2024/25 season — an away clash at Burnham Ramblers on Bank Holiday Monday. It’s a chance for Riddle’s men to end on a high and to give the travelling fans something to cheer about. Because while the past is there to be treasured — it’s the future that now comes into focus.

And this proud old club still has plenty more history to write.