Hoddesdon Town bounced back in style in Basildon after the draw at home on Tuesday. An outstanding first-half performance which brought three goals, keeps Hoddesdon’s playoff hopes alive going into the final three games.

Hoddesdon’s start was as bright as the sunshine, with the side moving the ball well and players looking to beat their man. An early strike from captain Jack Gibbs that was just over from distance signalled their intent.

At 16 minutes, Hoddesdon had a clear shout for a handball in the Basildon area, but no penalty was given, and Basildon were awarded a freekick for a possible push instead. The hurriedly taken freekick was charged down by a tenacious Harrison Cage, who then got in down the left close to goal. His first attempt was blocked by the keeper, but he twisted well with his back to goal to acrobatically hook the ball over the keeper’s head from a tight angle to give Hoddesdon the lead. The Basildon remonstrations earned their number six ten minutes in the sin bin.

Hoddesdon were pressing now, and it felt like more goals would be coming. More good work from Harry Carter down the left cut the ball back to Connor Bolton on the edge of the area. He then played the ball forward, where it looped high off a Basildon defender toward the back post. Callum Bennison reacted well to head over the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net. However, the flag immediately went up for offside, and the score remained 0-1.

At 35 minutes, the second goal arrived, and it was worth the wait. Blue Gallagher, pulling the strings in the midfield, played one of his excellent forward balls to the feet of Connor Bolton 35 yards out on the right. He flicked the ball up, turned, and as the ball bounced, he unleashed a left-foot beauty that sailed over the keeper and into the far corner for his 22nd (and arguably best) goal of the season. The traveling Hoddesdon support gave it the ovation it deserved. You can see the goal HERE.

Hoddesdon were in full flight now and pressed home the advantage. In the final minute of the half, it was a Harry Carter delivery from a corner where the ball bounced up off a defender’s back for Reece Barnett to arrive and send a precision header into the Basildon net. 3-0, and it was the end of the half. You can see the goal HERE.

The second half started in combative fashion with good pressing but limited clear-cut opportunities. Both keepers were dealing well with balls into the area, and the flow of the game was punctuated with much-needed water breaks for the players. Eden Baily was busy in possession, and Harry Carter’s running was keeping the Basildon defence on high alert with a few marginal offside calls frustrating the away supporters. With the game slowing to a conclusion, there was still time for Basildon to add a consolation after a quick break up field, resulting in a tidy finish from Grant Cummings to deny Hoddesdon a clean sheet to add to the three points.

Results elsewhere mean Hoddesdon are 7th in the table and two points behind Coggeshall, who they play at home this Tuesday. Hutton are in 5th, six points ahead, but have played a game more. There is still a chance for Hoddesdon to catch them, but it will need a win on Tuesday and a repeat performance against Basildon at Lowfield on the following Saturday at the very least. Come and join us for both those games as we look for a strong finish to the season.

Harry Carter was the HTFC Man of the Match for hardworking performance.
HTFC Team: Nugent – Agnew – Barnett (Riddle 83) – Collins – Gibbs © – Cage (Hamill 83) – Gallagher – Eden – Bolton – Carter – Bennison (Lala 83).