Both sides still have an outside chance of reaching the semi finals, although a win for Hutton in either of their final two home games will effectively put paid to any hopes. That said, you can only worry about yourself and so it is imperative that Simon Riddle's team go for the win and let other results work themselves out.

A superb 3-1 win away at Basildon is the perfect platform to kick on and secure another three points this week, and the performance on Saturday, particularly in the first half, was excellent. Goals from Cage, Bolton and Barnett ensured that Hoddesdon are not playing any dead rubbers at this late stage of the season and giving the fans something to be invested in, right to the very end. Connor Bolton extended his tally to 22 in 34 for the season and sits 5th in the league Golden Boot charts. It is unlikely that he will catch Darnell Fuller of Dunmow Town (30 in 42) but it has been another superb campaign for the left sided player. It has been a good run in for the Lilywhites with just the one defeat in 7 games but perhaps the number of draws clocked up this season will prove to be the sticking point in their hunt for glory. Eleven league stalemates is the most of any team in the division, and failing to convert early dominance may have been a theme this season. However, to even put themselves in the reckoning has been a superb effort, and we head into the midweek game full of hope and with the dream still alive.

Coggeshall come to town just one place and two points ahead of us in 6th, and still very much dreaming their own dream.

The league record reads P35 W17 D10 L8 GD+17 with 61 points in the bank. A 2-0 away win to basement boys St Margaretsbury last time out, continues to buoy confidence with Joshua Ambrose and Todd Hollocks grabbing the goals to steer them home.

Joint second oldest original football club in Essex, Coggeshall Town was formed at a meeting held at the White Hart Hotel, Coggeshall on September 27th 1878. Records held at the Coggeshall Museum, suggest that the Football Club was founded by J. K. King & Sons, a local family seed business. The account of the inaugural meeting makes no mention of the company although its role may be acknowledged through the club’s nickname, “The Seedgrowers” that remains to this day.

Coggeshall provided the first opposition for both Braintree F.C., in January 1879 and Halstead, in November of the same year. In 1880, at this time the traditional colours of Scarlet and Black were adopted. Abandoning the steep slope of Myneer Park the 1880 – 81 season was played on Mr Fuller’s Barnard Field in Pointwell Lane, Little Coggeshall, before spending the rest of the decade on the Highfields Farm Park. Then “Fabians” field in Colne Road was played on until 1895 when a permanent move to Highfields was made, this became the club’s home for 65 years.

The club’s future was threatened in 1981 when the landowner announced that he wished to sell the land. Once more, the club embarked on a fundraising campaign. The commitment of those involved is evident from the efforts of the club manager, Peter Barlow, who embarked on a run from “The Crops” to F.A. Headquarters at Lancaster Gate to hand in an appeal for support to save the ground. A little behind schedule, he arrived at the F.A. to find it closed. Nevertheless, he raised £500 toward the fund. With the help of Coggeshall Parish Council and the Sports Council, the club raised the funding to buy the land and for the first time, just over 100 years since they were formed, Coggeshall Town owned their own facilities.

The start of the 2013-14 season saw major changes at Coggeshall Town with the club accepting a proposal from local businessman Graeme Smith to become involved in running the club. Initially Smith’s involvement was in an advisory role coupled with managing the reserve team, which he took over midway through that season, leading them on to winning the Essex and Suffolk Border League Reserve Cup and saving the team from relegation. During the remainder of that season Smith’s influence at the club led to many improvements on and off the pitch. The 2014-15 season saw Graeme Smith take full control of the football club and become 1st team manager alongside his assistant and long-term friend John Pollard. During this season, significant improvements were made throughout the whole club. On the pitch, the team secured a 6th place finish in the Border League Premier Division and were runners up in the League Cup final.

Cliff Akurang was appointed Manager for the 2022 – 23 season. Sadly, after a string of bad results the club decided it was time to Part Company with Cliff and on the 10th November, Jason Maher from Saffron Walden Town was appointed Manager, along with the rest of his team, Assistant Manager Mark Hawkes and Coach Kevin Hunter. Unfortunately, during the early games while rebuilding of the side was taking place results did not improve. However, after Christmas results improved and Town moved off the bottom of the table finally finishing seventeenth in the league and earning a place in the F.A.’s newly proposed Inter League play-off. Bizarrely the club was drawn at home to Northern Counties East League side Winterton Rangers from Scunthorpe. It was a close game but Town lost out in the dying minutes losing two goals to one and relegation to the Essex Senior League Premier Division followed. The club now find themselves in the Thurlow Nunn Division One South.

Last season, the club were relegated from the Essex Senior League Premier Division, finishing rock bottom of the pile with a record of played 38, won 4, drawn 5, lost 29, a goal difference of -66 and a pints total of 17. To say it was a tough season would be an understatement. At the last game of the season, now 'former' manager Rob Moore commented 'To those that have backed us in all-weather at the away games too, thank you and sorry we didn't give you more results for you to cheer. It amazed me recently at the West Essex game where we had so many people backing us despite our fate and that has never gone unnoticed by us...'

Since then, a new manager has stepped in, in the shape of Dave Harrison, accompanied by Mike Reeve, Sam Hollocks and Simon Turnidge.

As noted before in previous match previews and program notes, Hoddesdon Town and Coggeshall Town have a rather extraordinary link with each other, all of which stems from our Chairman, Stuart Varney, the FA Vase, and the Coggeshall Supporters Club Chairman, Kevin Christmas. The following is an excerpt taken from a Coggeshall pre season match programme, used with thanks, where Kevin explains the connection in detail:

'It was in 1963, when I was 4 years old, that my Uncle Ron come to pick me up to go and watch Hoddesdon Town. My interest in football had begun and I have never looked back. My 6d pocket money got me in to the ground, with enough left over for a glass of lemonade and a packet of crisps at half time. My first major memory was in season 1970/71, when a unique treble was achieved, Spartan League, Spartan League Cup and Herts Charity Shield were all stored in the clubs Trophy Cabinet.'

'Four years later, the FA scrapped the old Amateur Cup and introduced 2 new competitions for non-league clubs, the Trophy and the Vase. Hoddesdon beat Epping Town in Round One of the Vase followed by Billericay Town in Round 2. Another two victories against Basildon United and Molesey and we were in the Quarter Finals, only 2 rounds away from the Final at Wembley Stadium. We were drawn at home against fellow Spartan League side Farnborough Town. The Hampshire side were top of the league and turned up at Lowfield in their Wembley suits, so sure of beating us and going all the way to the final itself. They hadn’t taken into account the battling qualities of Hoddesdon and went home disappointed after a 2-0 defeat.'

'A two-legged semi-final against a team from Leicester was next, Friar Lane Old Boys. The first was at home on a very wet pitch, but Hoddesdon made themselves favourites to reach Wembley after a 2-0 win. A week later and 3 coach loads of supporters made their way up to the Midlands for the second leg. The team bus left earlier with the committee members and their families, amongst them were a few good friends. One of them was Stuart Varney, whose father Fred was a long serving volunteer of the club. Again, the weather was rain, rain and more rain. Hoddesdon scored in the first half and led 3-0 on aggregate. Friars Lane pulled one back in the second half, but it was not enough and Hoddesdon were on their way to Wembley. Uncle Ron and myself went into a packed clubhouse to get a celebratory drink. After a short time, someone came to us and said our coach had left without us and we were stranded. Elmer, the chairman said there were 2 spare seats on the team coach and we could go home on that. We stopped somewhere on the way home for a celebratory drink, still haven’t got a clue where it was, but the drink was flowing and as a 15 year old, I made the most of it, not getting home until after 1 o’clock in the morning.'

'Onto 19th April and the FA Vase final, against Epsom and Ewell at Wembley. Nearly 10,000 watched Hoddesdon take a 2-0 lead at half time and although Epsom got a goal back in the second half, Hoddesdon held on to win 2-1 and become the first ever winners of the FA Vase. Celebrations in the town went on long into the night and the day is etched into my mind as if was yesterday.'

'It was a few years later when my local pub, The Old Highway Tavern, started up their own Sunday League team. I was the goalkeeper and one of the centre half’s was my good friend Stuart Varney. After each game, we rushed back to the pub for a few drinks with our fathers, who were work colleagues at a local firm. In those days, pubs had to close at 2.00pm on a Sunday, so it was a couple of drinks and then home to mums roast dinner. I continued to support Hoddesdon up to the mid 1990’s, when I met my now wife Michelle, whilst working in North London. We married and started a family, 3 lovely daughters, Courtney, Allana and Ela. Football became an unaffordable luxury and we moved to Braintree, close to Michelle’s family. I followed Hoddesdon from afar, always checking their results. It was in 2007 when finances improved enough for me to go and watch Braintree Town.'

'Later on, I was invited to help out at Coggeshall United. Although it was only a short time, my enjoyment of following non-
league football returned and I was disappointed the season ended. During the summer, I received a phone call from Suzy (bar manager) asking if I wanted to help out at Coggeshall Town, a chance I jumped at. Although United didn’t last too long, the friendship I received at Town was enough for me to want to carry on. I became Chairman of the Supporters Club when Mike stood down and the support I received from everyone was amazing. Despite the breaks due to covid and the illness to Graeme led to a down turn in fortunes, I now feel it is time to get the club back on track and with David and his team’s ambitions matched by us, the supporters, a move back up the pyramid beckons.'

'My good friend Stuart is now chairman and things are looking up for the club.'

Some wonderful words and memories from Kevin and we hope he enjoys the game (although not too much...)

These two sides met on the first day of the new season. An early goal from Connor Casey and a late strike from Callum Bennison gave us a 2-0 win to kick the league campaign off in style on the 27th of July. Missing their club captain and last seasons centre half pairing to suspension and injury, Hoddesdon were thrown into the fire pit but passed the test with flying colours.

In a summer of change for the Lilywhites, Hoddesdon came into the game missing Jack Gibbs, serving a ban for his red card at the end of last season, away to Southend Manor, with defensive partner Jack Riddle only making the bench.

Some familiar faces had also departed the club over the summer, with Harrison Cage succumbing to serious injury, and tenacious midfielder George Rankin deciding to play his football nearer to his home. Forward Dion Laughton had also left the club, re-signing for London Colney for the new season. However, manager Simon Riddle has also recruited well during the off season, and we saw the inclusion of new signings Bailey Collins and Jonah Evans named in the match day squad. In the absence of Jack Gibbs, Connor Bolton was handed the captain's armband.

Hoddesdon got the new season underway and went straight onto the attack. A dangerous cross by Bailey Eden was headed out for a corner by Coggeshall’s Connor Randall. The corner came to nothing however. Joe Hodgson saved a Hoddesdon long range effort then at the other end, a Todd Hollocks shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded straight into the hands of Liam Nugent, the Hoddesdon keeper.

Hoddesdon took the lead on eight minutes when a cross from Sam Cross was headed in by Connor Casey. Coggeshall tried to hit back immediately, but the long ball from Jimmy Makanjuola that found Lewis Wallman, who put the ball in the net, was offside. Hoddesdon had three corners, one after another, ending with the ball sailing over the crossbar. Wallman had a shot blocked after an interpassing move with Hollocks, then a Hollocks corner was headed over the bar by Joe Borein and a Hollocks shot was cleared to safety.

Hoddesdon were forced to make a change as the goal scorer Casey went off injured with just over half an hour gone, his replacement being Callum Bennison. Hoddesdon broke away with Connor Bolton and Eden but Borein tidied up and cleared up field for Dan Gage to chase but Nugent reached the ball first. A series of Hoddesdon corners came after a moment’s indecision in the Coggeshall defence. Coggeshall had an effort from Wallman blocked, James Long putting his shot wide of the goal and both Wallman and Gage through on goal, but ruled offside. The first half closed with Joe Hodgson making a great save from Bennison, turning it round the post for a corner

HT 0-1

Coggeshall brought on Greg Saunders for Tom Johnson as the half started, and from the restart, Wallman tried to set up Makanjuola, but Nugent beat him to it, a freekick by Joe Hodgson found Connor Randall but his shot was diverted for a corner then Gage’s shot was blocked by Nugent rebounded to Wallman who passed to Randall who ‘s effort went wide.

Hoddesdon made their second change after 58 minutes as Ben Clarke replaced Kyle Roberts. Eden’s cross/shot went wide as did Gage’s effort after being set up by Hollocks then Long put over a cross that was too long for Wallman to get to. Coggeshall made their second substitution after 64 minutes when Femi Apantaku replaced Makanjuola quickly followed by a double Hoddesdon switch, Bailey Collins and Nazarii Krutko going off and Sid Barker and Jonah Evans coming on.

Blue Gallagher and Bennison played down the left, winning a corner which was cleared and found Nugent blocking a shot from Hollocks on the goal line. A Hoddesdon corner by Eden was headed over by Gallagher, then on 79 minutes Randall lost possession to Callum Bennison who went on to score Hoddesdon’s second and ultimately win the game.

Coggeshall immediately replaced Gage with Harrison Cross. Hoddesdon continued to push forward as Kyle Roberts’ shot was too high and Reece Edwards blocking Bennison’s effort. Evans was shown a yellow card for taking too long over a throw in. As the match entered stoppage time, Hollocks fired over then Edwards lost possession, but Bennison put the ball wide. The match ended with Joe Hodgson making a good save from Roberts, sending the ball out for a corner.

It was a brilliant opening day performance from the Lilywhites, a tricky away tie to league newcomers, and Simon Riddle was delighted to come away with all three points and get the new campaign up and running with a win and a clean sheet.

Man of the Match that day was Sam Cross.

Away from home, Coggeshall's record isn't too shabby and reads P18 W8 D5 L5 F33 A28.

Two of those away defeats came in March, losing 2-0 both to Harlow Town and AS London. Prior to that, their last away defeat was all the way back in September, a 4-2 defeat to Burnham Ramblers. In terms of personnel, their leading goalscorer is Abiola Makanjuola with 14 in 32, closely followed by Todd Hollocks with 13 in the same amount of games. Indeed, the name 'Hollocks' is no stranger to Lowfield. This game was abandoned on the 1st of March when it was Sam Hollocks who suffered an injury that put paid to the completion of the game. After a goodwill message from Hoddesdon, Sam responded on X 'Appreciate that guys, fair tackle, these things happen, dislocated and potentially fractured elbow, but I’ll live...'

At the time of the game being abandoned, things were all square at 1-1 and heading for a tense finish. Bailey Collins scored for Hoddesdon Town in the 27th minute with a lovely placed finish into the top corner from close to 30 yards. Coggeshall soon hit back though, before the premature end to the game. We hope we can get the game concluded this time around and everybody goes home healthy.

The tea bar will be open serving hot and cold refreshments, as well as the clubhouse bar offering draught beers, ciders, and stouts from Greene King, fans can enjoy a welcoming atmosphere on and off the pitch. Lowfield365 Members will enjoy up to 20% off their round at the bar.

As this game was originally played and abandoned, we have decided to initiate a 'Pay What You Want' policy at the turnstiles, for this match.

Enjoy the game.

COYL