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Burnham Ramblers are the visitors this week as Hoddesdon Town continue to forge ahead with their promotion hopes.

Our visitors sit an impressive 5th in the form table, playing 6, winning 4, drawing 0 and losing 2. However, the actual league table sees Burnham down in 15th place after a tough season thus far. Last time out, an entertaining game saw Burnham slip to a 4-2 away defeat to FC Baresi, leaving them just 5 points clear of the trapdoor. Aiden Brown leads the way for goals scored with 7 in 15 and whilst the recent team form has improved slightly, the fight is well and truly on for our visitors to secure enough points to guarantee Step 6 football next season.

They have won nine of their 27 league games this season, drawing four and losing thirteen. In that time they have scored 40 but conceded 56. From their 14 away games this season, they have only won three and Simon Riddle will be hoping that that kind of form on the road will continue for Burnham gaffer Paul Hayes and his management team – Assistant Manager, Chris Hudson and First Team Coach, Lee Townrow. who joined the Ramblers after a successful stint at Dunmow Town. Hayes, an ex-professional player, brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality, having guided Dunmow to the playoff final in the 2023/24 season. His expertise and leadership are invaluable for Burnham Ramblers. Chris Hudson, Hayes' trusted lieutenant from Dunmow, also joined the coaching staff in June of last year. Hudson boasts extensive experience in the game, and his knowledge is a major asset to the team. Together, Hayes and Hudson form a formidable partnership with a proven track record. The coaching team is further bolstered by Lee Townrow and Chris Perkins. Townrow and Perkins bring additional expertise and ensure a well-rounded coaching setup that caters to all aspects of player development.

The club was formed in 1900 and so are celebrating their 125th Anniversary this season, and all of us at Hoddesdon Town would like to extend warm congratulations to everyone at Burnham Ramblers on this momentous achievement. However, at 7:45pm on Tuesday, the pleasantries will cease and these two sides will do battle for a precious three points.

This particular match previewer remembers an away trip to Burnham Ramblers back in the 1999/2000 season for an FA Cup tie that Hoddesdon won 2-1. I was only 18 at the time and this was my first real introduction to what a proper 'away day; in non league football felt like. It was a long coach journey eastwards along the A12 and A130 but the celebrations on the way home made for a day to remember. At that time, Alan Moore was the manager of the team and he took his side to Essex on a sunny Saturday afternoon to claim the victory. Long in my memory will be the song from the terrace about our physio Jon Clowes, a rendition of 'There's A Hole In John's Bucket' being crowed by the travelling fans every time he had to take to the field to deal with an injury. Later on in that season, our now Assistant Manager Jeff Cross made his 500th appearance for the club, a feat only achieved by two other players in the club's long history, David Wilson and Gary Cummins. Unfortunately, the team lost 3-2 away to Saffron Walden in the next round, but that away game at Burnham sits proudly at the forefront of my mind. Another 2-1 win would not go amiss this Tuesday evening.

In this match last season, Hoddesdon were very convincing winners in a 5-0 demolition at Lowfield.

Coming off the back of a welcome midweek victory at St Margaretsbury in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy, the Lilywhites were looking to build on that success and take valuable points against visitors, Burnham Ramblers, to lift them away from the foot of the table. Through circumstances beyond their control the Lilywhites had found themselves having played fewer games than all the other teams in the league and needing to play some serious catch-up.

The visitors came to Lowfield sitting near the top of the table and, for the first twenty minutes or so, they showed why. They provided a lot of aerial pressure on the home goal from a succession of free-kicks and very long throw-ins; all launched into the penalty area.

The Lilywhites withstood the pressure with some very disciplined defending and gradually they worked their way into the game began to pose threats at the other end of the pitch. Dan Acquaye was causing problems for the visitors down their left flank and it was a late tackle on him at the end of a surging run towards the box that led to the free kick from which the Lilywhites opened the scoring. It came on the half-hour mark and it was Conor Bolton who took the responsibility for the kick, striking it sweetly past the wall into the bottom corner of the goal to give the Lilywhites the lead.

This proved to be a turning point in the game and the Lilywhites came close to doubling their advantage only two minutes later when Narcis Filipe hit the top of the bar with a curling shot from the edge of the box, following a good run and pass from Blue Gallagher. The visitors continued with their policy of ‘bombing’ the box with long throws and free-kicks but they were unable to break down the Lilywhites defence and with added time being played at the end of the first half, the Lilywhites grabbed a second goal. Connor Bolton's free-kick from out on the right touchline, found the head of Sam Cross and, in turn, the top corner of the net.

If their 2-0 half-time lead slightly flattered the Lilywhites, their second half performance was worthy of more than the three further goals that it achieved. Tyler Blackwood was thwarted by a fine save only two minutes in and then, soon after, the visitors twice in close succession blocked close-range, goal-bound efforts on the line and scrambled the ball to safety.

Further opportunities to add a third followed, the best of which fell to Blue Gallagher following good approach work from Narcis Filipe in the 69th minute, but his 20-yard strike flew over the bar. The third goal was not long in coming, though; a 50/50 challenge near the half-way line resulted in a Burnham defender lofting the ball over his goalkeepers head. It was no more than the Lilywhites deserved and they were now in total control and threatening a goal with almost every attack. It therefore came as no surprise when Blue Gallagher was felled in the box at the expense of a penalty which he himself coolly converted to add a fourth goal. Four minutes had been added when Tyler Blackwood was rewarded for a fine performance with a clinical finish when he moved onto an excellent through-ball from Sam Cross.

The final 5-0 scoreline was ultimately emphatic coming, as it did, after a hard-fought opening 30 minutes that suggested the outcome would be much closer.

Man-of-the Match that day was Narcis Filipe.

And so we turn attentions to Tuesday.

An excellent 2-1 home win last week against Brimsdown set us up nicely for the run in. Unfortunately, Saturday's home game v Coggeshall was sadly abandoned after an opponent landed awkwardly and broke his elbow with the game finely poised. We send our best wishes to the player involved and will announce when the game will be replayed as soon as we have information.

If the lads were to win all 5 of the games they have in hand over third placed Hutton, they would rocket themselves into the play off places and sit handily as the third best team in the table. That is of course easier said than done, but Tuesday gives us the chance to build a run and the lads must be ready and focused for a resilient opponent. Connor Bolton once again leads the scoring charts with 17 in 26 but the rest of the squad can be relied upon to chip in too, with no less than 16 different players all registering goals for the club so far this season.

You can follow Burnham Ramblers on X by clicking HERE or check out their website HERE.

Hoddesdon Town FC invites all supporters to Lowfield for what promises to be an exciting evening of football. With the tea bar open and serving hot and cold refreshments, as well as the clubhouse offering draught beers, ciders, and stouts from Greene King, fans can enjoy a welcoming atmosphere on and off the pitch, and Lowfield 365 Members can earn up to 20% off their round at the bar.

Entry prices are £8 for adults, £5 for concessions, with free entry for under-12s. Bring your family and friends, and let’s make Lowfield a fortress as the Lilywhites embark on their push for the playoffs.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL