Bank Holiday Monday. Ice creams. Raffles. Barrows of booze. A bustling crowd basking in the spring sun for Burnham Ramblers’ 125th Anniversary Fun Day.

But for Hoddesdon Town, there was precious little fun to be had in Essex – unless you count trying to cobble together a football team from a near-empty squad. With eleven first-team regulars absent, the Lilywhites arrived in Burnham short on legs and shorter still on luck, slumping to a 4-1 defeat that ends their season with a whimper rather than a bang.

There was a carnival atmosphere at Leslie Field as the hosts threw a party to celebrate their proud 125-year history – and by the tenth minute, they were celebrating on the pitch too. A double from Asa Cansdale and a truly woeful opening from Hoddesdon had the hosts coasting, before two more goals before the break – including Cansdale’s hat trick – ensured this one was over before the candy floss had melted.

PAPER-THIN IN ESSEX

You could feel the task ahead as soon as the Hoddesdon squad sheet was released. No Agnew, Barnett, Bolton, Casey, Collins, Smith, McCarthy, Riddle, Roads or Sterling. Just twelve fit players made the trip. Even the bench featured reserve keeper Ethan Gannon – who’d later take the field as an emergency right-back – and an injured George Hamill who, against doctor’s orders and every ounce of common sense, threw on a shirt late on to help his beleaguered teammates.

It might go down as one of the most patched-up line-ups ever fielded by the club – but to their credit, they gave it a go. Unfortunately, Burnham didn’t get the memo.

CANSDALE KILLS IT EARLY

With just four minutes on the clock, Ramblers frontman Asa Cansdale picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed a low, rasping drive that zipped past Liam Nugent at the near post. 1-0. Three minutes later, things got worse. A free-kick from the left by the same man – Cansdale – drifted into the box, missed everyone, and curled straight into the far corner. Two goals in the blink of an eye. 2-0.

Hoddesdon, rattled and reeling, just about clung on during a goalmouth scramble moments later. A loose clearance by Liam was nearly punished, but he recovered well with a smart save before skipper Jack Gibbs threw himself in the way to block the rebound.

Yet the third goal came soon enough.

NAIL IN THE COFFIN

On 31 minutes, Burnham’s lively No.7, Lewis Nail, charged in from the right and with almost no angle to speak of, thundered a shot past Nugent. It was the kind of finish that smacked of confidence – and Hoddesdon’s was draining by the second. 3-0. Then, on 36 minutes, a cruel deflection at the near post saw Asa Cansdale complete his hat trick, bundling in the fourth past the wrong-footed Liam Nugent. 4-0. It was beginning to feel like damage limitation.

And yet, remarkably, Hoddesdon could – perhaps should – have had a hatful of their own in the closing moments of the half.

Arnis Lala dragged one wide after clever footwork from Harry Carter. Bailey Eden had a goal-bound effort blocked by an outstretched leg. Jonah Evans dazzled on the right, cutting in and teeing up Carter, whose shot was charged down, with Lala’s rebound also thwarted. Ata Tanak spun and shot just wide, then Carter blazed over from range with the last kick of the half. It was a brief but spirited rally. But it still read Burnham Ramblers 4, Hoddesdon Town 0 at the break – and that told the story.

“ONE OF THE WORST HALVES OF THE SEASON”

“It was as bad a half as we’ve seen all year,” admitted one travelling supporter at half-time. “We can talk about injuries, we can talk about bank holiday unavailability – and we’ve got every excuse under the sun – but that first 45 was dreadful.”

Manager Simon Riddle, watching on from the technical area, surely would’ve agreed. The script for the second half was less about a miraculous comeback and more about restoring some pride. And to their credit – they did.

BATTLES, POSTS AND MAKESHIFT DEFENDERS

Two minutes into the second half, Hoddesdon almost struck. A corner was flicked deftly by Callum Bennison, and clipped the post before being hoofed clear. It would’ve been the perfect reply – but the ball refused to bounce kindly all day. The game drifted after that. Burnham made a triple change on 56 minutes, withdrawing hat-trick hero Cansdale to a warm ovation, and later making two further substitutions. Hoddesdon, of course, had no such luxury.

On 65 minutes, in a move that epitomised the day, reserve keeper Ethan Gannon was brought on outfield – slotting in at right-back and putting in a determined shift despite being well outside his natural habitat. With tired legs and no fuel left in the tank, the game became a procession. Burnham were content to keep the ball, Hoddesdon chasing shadows.

Still, the Lilywhites kept at it.

Bailey Eden shot wide from distance. Arnis Lala headed past the post. Jason Brown – relentless in his pressing – led from the front. Then, injury struck again – Hoddesdon midfielder Harrison Cage pulled up holding his back and could go no further. With nobody else left, injured George Hamill – who deserves a medal just for turning up – hobbled on for the final ten.

And then, at the death, the moment of solace.

Jason Brown, still charging around in the 90th minute, won a corner through sheer willpower. The delivery was swung in, and Callum Bennison rose to meet it with a looping header that dropped over the keeper and in. 4-1. The cheers were muted but sincere. It was nothing more than a consolation, but it meant something – not least to the players who never stopped running, never stopped trying.

SEASON OVER – BUT PRIDE INTACT

The final whistle blew moments later. Burnham Ramblers 4-1 Hoddesdon Town.

A humbling afternoon. A bruising afternoon. But one that, in truth, was always likely to go this way given the circumstances. Despite the drubbing, there was appreciation from the travelling fans at full-time. Hoddesdon end the season 8th in the table – a two-place improvement on last season and a campaign filled with hope, entertainment and flashes of genuine quality. For long stretches they were in playoff contention, playing some sparkling football along the way. The squad, under Simon Riddle, have shown growth, fight, and togetherness – and with some squad depth added in the summer, there’s real cause for optimism heading into 2025/26.

JASON BROWN: MAN OF THE MATCH

There were few standout performers on a tough day, but the pick of the bunch was Jason Brown. His industry, refusal to give up and willingness to keep running until the very end was emblematic of what Hoddesdon Town have become this season – a team with heart.

Indeed, that spirit – even in defeat – is what supporters will take into the summer.

For now, it’s time to rest. To recharge. To recover from the injuries, the fatigue, and this final bruising day on the Essex coast. But come August, expect Hoddesdon Town to be back. Stronger. Fitter. And more determined than ever.

Bring on next season.

COYL