Hoddesdon Town’s clash with Basildon Town was plunged into chaos on a freezing night as the match was dramatically abandoned at half-time when the floodlights failed — leaving players, fans, and even the ref in the dark... literally!

With Basildon leading 1-0 at the break thanks to a Jack Allen header, the much-anticipated second half never got going as the lights flickered, failed, and refused to return, forcing officials to call off the rest of the game amid growing frustration (and frostbite) in the stands.

But there was a silver lining for the frozen faithful: tonight’s ticket purchasers will get FREE entry to the rearranged fixture — whenever that may be.

The Match There Was
It all started with a bang — or more accurately, a near own goal. Just 60 seconds in, Hoddesdon's Lala whipped in a cross that bounced off Basildon’s number 5, who very nearly gifted the home side an opener with a panicked tap towards his own net.

Basildon responded just moments later, but somehow managed to put a sitter wide from just yards out in the 3rd minute.

It was end-to-end stuff in the opening spell, with Bailey Collins stinging the palms of the Basildon keeper with a powerful volley from outside the area in the 8th minute.

But it was the visitors who struck first. On 33 minutes, Jack Allen rose highest and headed home to give Basildon the lead against the run of play — cue cheers from the travelling support (and groans from the home end).

Lala looked lively all half, and came close to levelling in the 38th minute with a speculative long-range effort that was well saved.

Then came the real drama. The teams trudged off at half-time with Basildon leading 1-0 — but they never came back. The floodlights cut out, and despite frantic efforts behind the scenes to restore power, the pitch remained in near-total darkness.
Cue confusion, cold fingers — only for club officials to confirm that all attendees will be granted free entry when the fixture is replayed.

Over For Now
Hoddesdon Town went in at the break trailing 1–0, but there were signs of life in the second part of the half as they began to find their rhythm and push Basildon back. A well-worked chance just before the whistle hinted at a turnaround, but any hopes of a second-half fightback were cruelly cut short as the floodlights failed and the game was abandoned in farcical scenes. It wasn’t the result that ended the night—it was the electrics—but Hoddesdon will take heart from their late surge and come back ready to finish what they started. The fire’s still there, even if the lights aren’t. COYL