If truth be told, Hoddesdon didn't play badly on Saturday and in fact, had they been in front, particularly at half time, not many would have had complaints. However, the second half didn't go as planned and ultimately it was three points dropped in the chase for promotion. Hackney Wick, whilst chasing down a league title, were always going to be a tough hurdle to clear, especially at home where they have been so dominant this season. 75 hours later, Simon Riddle and his team have the chance to right a wrong and claim the spoils in another key league battle.

This game was originally scheduled for February 11th but was called off as heavy rain affected the Lowfield surface in the days before the match.

Our opponents were established by former Brimsdown management team Marvin Walker and Aaron Archer in 2016 and joined Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands League. After finishing third in the division in their first season, they were promoted to Division One. At the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to Division One of the Combined Counties League. After one season in the Combined Counties League, they were transferred to Division One South of the Eastern Counties League.

The club played at Enfield Town's Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, before moving to the Maurice Rebak Stadium to ground share with Wingate & Finchley prior to the 2018–19 season.

Our visitors occupy 15th place in the table with a record of P29 W9 D5 L15 GD-6 and a points haul of 32. Last time out, they suffered away defeat to Coggeshall, a 2-0 loss denying them any points on Saturday. That was the 5th defeat in the last 6 games, with only a 1-1 draw away to Brimsdown at the start of the month, baring any fruit for the side recently. That leaves them second bottom of the form table after conceding 12 goals and scoring just 4. As they head to Lowfield, the away record reads P15 W4 D1 L10 F24 A32 with 13 points to show from their travels.

In mid August, these two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Wingate & Finchley's Maurice Rebak Stadium. It was a game in which Hoddesdon had enough chances to win and put things to bed before conceding a goal, but they eventually came back from 2-0 down to earn a worthwhile draw, thanks to a Callum Bennison brace sparing the blushes.

In this fixture last season, Hoddesdon were rampant and the home faithful will be hoping for a repeat performance.

In March 2024, the Lilywhites continued their climb up the table by extending their unbeaten league run to seven games with an emphatic victory over their relegation-threatened visitors. They overwhelmed their visitors with a five-goal first-half display that effectively secured the valuable three points on offer. It was perhaps understandable that the Lilywhites followed it with a lacklustre second-half performance that allowed the Borough to salvage some respect from the game.

It took only seven minutes for Conor Casey to open the scoring for the Lilywhites when he lunged into the six-yard box to put the finishing touch to a George Rankin pass. Despite having taken the lead and dominating the exchanges they were far from fluid with their passing and, with the visitors struggling to retain possession, the game became quite scrappy. George Rankin had a wonderful opportunity to double the Lilywhites’ tally in the 15th minute when he found space in the area but he unfortunately placed his shot wide of the goal.

The second goal was not long in coming, however, and it came from man-of-the-match, Dion Laughton, when he seized upon a loose back-pass and slotted home. Two became three in the 27th minute when Kyle Roberts showed neat footwork to cut inside from the right and beat the keeper at his near post. Nine minutes later, Connor Bolton added a fourth after Dion Laughton ran onto a good ball up the left from Syd Barker, beat two defenders and squared the ball for Connor Bolton to apply the finish.

That was leading-scorer, Connor Bolton’s, tenth goal of the season and he very soon made it eleven when good approach play down the right, between Conor Casey and Kyle Roberts set up Connor for another clinical finish.

Five-nil at half-time could have led to an avalanche of goals but the visitors came out determined to prevent it and gave notice of their intent when they struck a post in the very first minute of the second period.

With good reason, the Lilywhites decided to make all their five substitutions early in the half, to give all their squad gametime. The move looked to be paying off when first Bailey Eden and then Callum Bennison had golden opportunities to add a sixth and seventh goal with 25 minutes remaining but both chances went begging and the door was opened for a Borough recovery.

They won a penalty in the 68th minute, which they converted neatly, and pulled a second goal back in the second minute of added time. By this time their tempers had boiled over and they ended the game with only nine men when two were sent off in quick succession.

Man-of-the Match that day was forward Dion Laughton.

Looking ahead to Tuesday evening, Marco Magunga represents the obvious threat with 10 goals in 21 games for Enfield Borough so they do have the firepower to cause us problems but the lads will be hoping that the 13 points that currently seperates them will point towards a Hoddesdon victory come 9:30pm on Tuesday.

For Hoddesdon the home form this year has been ok but a win would be a welcome result. The record at Lowfield reads P14 W5 D5 L4 F24 A20. The one stat that does tend to stick in the throat however, is the failure to win back to back home games so far this season. Our last appearance at home was the 1-1 draw with Burnham Ramblers, so taking victory would be a good way to set up a chance of nipping that detail in the bud and building on some good form in front of our own fans.

In team news, Despite defeat at the weekend, Connor Bolton extended his tally for the season to a remarkable 19 goals in 28 appearances this season. Callum Bennison is his nearest rival with just 5 and so 'Bolts' is looking nailed on to successfully defend his golden boot trophy from last season. This also places Bolton 4th in the league Golden Boot table behind Darnell Fuller of Dunmow Town (27), Reece Simpson of AS London (27) and Stuart Zanone of too many clubs to list here (20). Liam Nugent performed brilliantly at hackney Wick and took the Man of the Match award for a string of outstanding saves in Witham and continues to be one of the most trusted generals in manager Simon Riddle's team.

Captain Jack Gibbs leads the appearance charts for the side this season, appearing 29 times for the club and continuing to marshal the defence with aplomb. His defensive partner, Jack Riddle, unfortunately saw red at the weekend for a second yellow card offence and it remains to be seen whether any potential ban will be in place before this game kicks off.

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 continuen their push for the playoffs.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL