After the disappointment of Saturday, Simon Riddle will be hoping to end the season on a high with a win. The disappointment of not achieving the playoffs has subsided and the team can play with freedom and enjoy the occasion. It has been a brilliant year for the team, consistently competing to be in the mix until the very end and the side should be proud of themselves.

Bank Holiday Clash: Burnham Ramblers vs Hoddesdon Town – A Thurlow Nunn League Showdown

This Bank Holiday Monday, April 21, 2025, Leslie Field in Burnham-on-Crouch will host an eagerly anticipated Thurlow Nunn League First Division South fixture as Burnham Ramblers take on Hoddesdon Town. With both teams looking to finish the season on a high, this 3:00 PM kickoff promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Burnham Ramblers: A Club Steeped in History

Founded in 1900, Burnham Ramblers have a rich history in English non-league football. The club's early years saw them compete in various local leagues before becoming founder members of the Essex Olympian League in 1966, clinching the title in its inaugural season. Their journey continued with promotions and cup successes, including winning the Essex Senior League in 2012–13, which earned them a spot in the Isthmian League Division One North. After a brief stint, they returned to the Essex Senior League and later joined the Eastern Counties League in 2018. Leslie Field, their home since 1987, has witnessed many memorable moments, including a record attendance of 1,500 during a friendly against Arsenal.

Current Form: Burnham Ramblers
Burnham Ramblers have experienced a mixed run of form in recent weeks. Their last six league matches have yielded two wins and four losses:

12/04/25: Lost 3-4 away to Newbury Forest

05/04/25: Lost 1-5 away to Enfield Borough

29/03/25: Lost 0-3 at home to Harlow Town

26/03/25: Lost 2-5 away to Brimsdown

22/03/25: Won 4-2 at home against FC Baresi

15/03/25: Won 5-0 at home against NW London

Despite recent setbacks, the Ramblers have shown they can be formidable at home, and they'll be eager to capitalise on home advantage in this fixture.

Current Form: Hoddesdon Town
Hoddesdon Town's recent performances have been a mix of highs and lows. Their last six league matches are as follows:

19/04/25: Lost 0-3 at home to Basildon Town

15/04/25: Lost 1-3 at home to Coggeshall Town

12/04/25: Won 3-1 away at Basildon Town

08/04/25: Drew 1-1 at home with Newbury Forest

01/04/25: Lost 2-4 away to Rayleigh Town

29/03/25: Won 3-0 at home against NW London

With two wins, one draw, and three losses in their recent outings, Hoddesdon will be aiming to find consistency as the season draws to a close.

Head-to-Head: Previous Encounter
The two sides met earlier this season on March 4, 2025, at Hoddesdon's home ground, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Both teams will be looking to secure a decisive victory this time around to gain an edge in their head-to-head record.

The report from that game was as follows:

An entertaining, yet ultimately frustrating game, finished 1 -1 on Tuesday night under the Lowfield lights. After an upsetting end to the Coggeshall game on Saturday with a dislocated elbow for an opposition player, the team was looking to build momentum with another home game to enjoy against an in-form Burnham Ramblers.

The first half began as a fairly even contest with both sides looking to play forward and break the offside trap. Neither were successful with a flurry of offside calls from the eagle-eyed linesmen. With half an hour gone, Hoddesdon started to find a bit of rhythm and were carving out some chances with Connor Casey coming close and Bolton and Brown both probing down the flanks.

Half time came with the scores level. The second half started with Hoddesdon starting to dominate possession more and getting into the Burnham defensive half with increased purpose. Cue a series of Hoddesdon corners with a Blue Gallagher and George Hamill combination delivering into box were the Burnham keeper had to be on his guard. However, it was in the 56th minute that the pressure found its prize. It was another corner delivered from the left by George Hamill , headed back across goal by Reece Barnett and top scorer Connor Bolton diverting into the net with his head to give Hoddesdon a well-deserved lead. You can see that goal here.

The Hoddesdon pressure continued and on 67 minutes, Connor Casey found himself one-on-one with the Burnham keeper. He ably rounded him only to be pulled back by the ankles and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Here was the chance to put the game out of sight.

Unfortunately, a rare moment of misjudgement from taker Connor Bolton led to an attempted emulation of the recent “on the whistle, no run up pen” from Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara, but with the keeper reading it AND the ball being sent wide of the right-hand post. It was a “head in hands” moment and not a good time to have attempted this one. He’s having a stellar season though, and it only fired his energy for the remainder of the game. Alas, it was the start of luck deserting the Lilywhites from this point and good build up play went awry every time when the shots came.

When the luck turns, it can really turn and, on 83 minutes, what looked to be a horribly mishit shot from Derek Feyi was so bad that it found Will Hayes wide left who got to the by-line, crossed low, and Noah Hayes deftly diverted past Liam Nugent to make it 1-1. Hoddesdon got busy in response but could not find a shot that really troubled the Burnham keeper, and it finished with the points shared. Hoddesdon had dominated the possession and chances but had failed to control the game. Burnham looked solid and assured and will feel they deserved their point. For Hoddesdon, it feels like two points dropped.

HTFC Team: Nugent – Agnew – Riddle – Barnett – Gibbs (c) – Brown – Hamill – Gallagher – Bolton – Collins – Casey (Sterling ‘89).
Hoddesdon Man of the Match: Reece Barnett.

Match Details
Fixture: Burnham Ramblers vs Hoddesdon Town

Date: Monday, April 21, 2025

Kick-off: 3:00 PM

Venue: Leslie Field, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

Enjoy the game.

COYL