As the sun sets over Essex next Wednesday evening, Hutton will host Hoddesdon Town FC in what promises to be a compelling early season encounter in the Eastern Counties League Division One South. With both sides looking to establish momentum in the opening stages of the 2025/26 campaign, this third league fixture could prove pivotal in shaping their trajectories.
Hutton, currently sitting 1st in the table, have started the season brightly and will be keen to extend their form on home turf. Hoddesdon Town, meanwhile, find themselves in 20th, and will be eager to turn the tide after a challenging start.

Looking to steady the ship
Hoddesdon Town entered the new season with heads held high and hearts full of ambition. While the early fixtures haven’t delivered the results they'd hoped for, the Lilywhites have shown flashes of promise and a commitment that refuses to waver. Football, after all, is a long game—and seasons are written in chapters, not just first impressions.
After a positive pre-season capped by a morale-boosting win over Ware FC, Hoddesdon stepped into competitive action with grit. Though points have been elusive in the opening matches against Lymore Gardens and Southend Manor, every game has been a lesson and an opportunity to grow stronger.
Hoddesdon have found the net twice, with two goals in two consecutive games breathing life into their campaign. Leading the charge are Connor Bolton and Connor Casey, each finding the net and reminding fans of their attacking prowess. Bolton, already known for his sharp movement and clinical finishing, added another to his tally with a well taken penalty against Southend Manor. Meanwhile, Casey made his mark with a composed finish that showcased his hunger to contribute to the team.

Eyes on the win
Hutton, who are aiming to break away, 3 points is the minimum if they want to sustain this form. Dropping points could push them down the league table, while its all so tight. Resilience and consistency is a requirement right now for the reds.
While the Lilywhites are nearer the bottom end of the table, 3 points is ideal to put them back in the mix. Hoping for a turn of form, Hoddesdon will approach Hutton with all guns blazing. At the start of the season, 3 points are huge, and it would be amazing to get points next to our name on Wednesday.

The Opposition
Hutton have kicked off the 2025/26 season with a mix of ambition and grit, eager to build on their recent promotion to the Eastern Counties League Division One South. The squad entered the campaign with fresh energy, bolstered by a competitive pre-season that included fixtures against higher-tier sides like Billericay Town and Heybridge Swifts. These early tests offered valuable insight into the team’s depth and gave supporters a glimpse of both returning talent and exciting new signings.
The opening matches have delivered a rollercoaster of results, showcasing Hutton’s attacking flair and resilience. An entertaining 4-3 win over NW London and a thrilling 3–2 victory against AS London highlighted their offensive potential, thirdly they narrowly beat Coggeshall 1-0 on their own turf. Despite the ups and downs, the squad’s spirit remains high, and the fans at New Lodge have rallied behind their team with unwavering support. Elliot Howson is a prolific scorer with 4 goals in the first 3 games, supported by Solomon Asomah, mainly off the bench, but has still contributed with 2 goals in just 3 games.
With the season still in its early stages, Hutton are laying the groundwork for a campaign full of promise. The blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership is beginning to gel, and there’s a growing sense that Hutton are ready to make their mark. The journey ahead may be demanding, but they are embracing it with determination and belief.

Key Players
One standout figure for Hoddesdon Town is Bailey Eden, a dynamic midfielder who plays a pivotal role in linking defence and attack. Known for his energy and vision, Bailey often dictates the tempo in the middle of the park and is crucial in both breaking up opposition play and launching counter-attacks.
One of Hutton FC’s standout performers is Elliot Howson, a prolific goal scorer who’s been instrumental in their rise to the top of the Eastern Counties League Division One South. With 3 goals in 3 appearances, Howson combines sharp movement with clinical finishing, making him a constant threat in the final third.

The Venue: New Lodge
New Lodge Blunts Wall Road Billericay Essex CM12 9SA United Kingdom
It’s about a 20-minute walk from Billericay railway station and has limited parking nearby, so planning ahead is a good idea.

By Car
• From Hoddesdon, take the A10 south toward the M25.
• Join the M25 clockwise, then exit at J28 for the A12.
• Follow signs for Brentwood, then take the A129 toward Billericay.
• Once in Billericay, turn right at the traffic lights near the Texaco garage.
• Blunts Wall Road is on the right—look out for signs to New Lodge.
Parking: There’s limited parking at the ground, so arriving early is wise. Alternatively, nearby residential streets may offer space, but check for restrictions.

By Rail
Start at Broxbourne Station and take a train to London Liverpool Street (usually via Tottenham Hale or Broxbourne).
From Liverpool Street, hop on a Greater Anglia service to Billericay Station—the journey takes around 30 minutes.
Once at Billericay, it’s about a 20–25 minute walk to New Lodge:
• Exit the station and head up Radford Way.
• Turn right and cross the railway via the footbridge.
• Continue down Western Road, then cross at the lights into Tye Common Road.
• Blunts Wall Road is a short way along on the right—New Lodge will be signposted.

Entry is as follows:
Adults: £6
Concessions (Seniors/Students): £4
Under 16s: Free entry

Previous Meeting
The last time Hoddesdon & Hutton faced off was last season, January 2025. The match kicked off under the lights at New Lodge, home of Billericay Town FC, and it was a bright start for the Lilywhites. 8 minutes in, after a good period of possession, the breakthrough came and once again it was from top goal scorer Connor Bolton. This one was his 14th for the season as his excellent scoring run continues. The half treated the supporters to some entertaining, end to end play with Maxwell Appauh showing his skills for the home side and Liam Nugent ready when called upon in the Hoddesdon goal. However, it only takes a minute and everything changes these days. Just before the stroke of half time, Hutton were very fortunate to be awarded a penalty when it seemed to many that Jason Brown had won the ball and, to compound matters, Reece Barnett was invited to sit in the sin bin for ten minutes. Elliot Howson stepped up to convert with no mistake and the half finished at 1-1. The second half saw Hutton step things up and take the game to Hoddesdon Town. A number of longer-range shots were coming in with one hitting the bar on 68mins and another going over on 75. Bennison, Roads and Howard were all brought on as the half progressed to do their bit to weather the Hutton storm and relight the fire. There was a late effort from Connor Bolton that the Hutton keeper was able to tip away for a corner and Liam Nugent once again made sure the scores stayed level at the other end with a good save before the full-time whistle went. 1-1 final score.

Final Thoughts
This midweek clash under the floodlights offers more than just three points—it’s a test of character, strategy, and early-season ambition. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a neutral observer, this fixture is one to watch.
Will Hutton continue their charge, or will Hoddesdon rise to the occasion and rewrite their season’s narrative? All will be revealed come 19:45 on Wednesday. See you all in Billericay, #COYL