MATCH PREVIEW: Hoddesdon Town vs Hutton — Tuesday 14 October 2025, 7:45pm at Lowfield

It’s under the lights at Lowfield this Tuesday night, and the stage is set for a big one. Hoddesdon Town welcome high-flying Hutton in a First Division South clash that pits a side desperately searching for lift-off against one of the division’s early-season pacesetters.

While the table might suggest a mismatch — Hutton sitting third and Hoddesdon rooted to the bottom — football has a funny way of tearing up the script. And with the Lilywhites eager to finally get their season up and running, there’s every reason to believe they could make life uncomfortable for their Essex visitors under the midweek glare.

The Story So Far

It’s been a difficult start to the 2025/26 campaign for Hoddesdon Town, who come into the game still looking for their first league points of the season after eight matches. Simon Riddle's men have shown flashes of promise but have been unable to turn performances into results, scoring seven goals and conceding 23 so far. The numbers tell their own story — the Lilywhites have lost all eight league fixtures, including narrow defeats and some that were simply hard to take. But anyone who’s been following the side knows there’s been no shortage of effort or determination.

Despite a tough September and an equally challenging start to October, the feeling around Lowfield remains that things can change quickly. Football’s full of turning points — and under the floodlights, in front of their home supporters, Hoddesdon will see this as the perfect chance to start rewriting the narrative.

Recent Form

If you go purely by the form guide, the contrast between the two sides is clear.

Hoddesdon’s last five league matches have been a tough sequence that’s seen the team struggle for consistency at both ends of the pitch. The recent 4–1 defeat at The Old Spotted Dog underlined the need for greater defensive resilience, but there were positives to take: the side kept pushing until the final whistle, and the attacking intent was there even when the game seemed gone.

At home, Hoddesdon have looked more competitive — two wins in all competitions across five matches at Lowfield this season, both coming outside the league, hint at what the team is capable of when the crowd gets behind them. But the challenge now is to translate that same energy into league points.

Hutton, on the other hand, come into the fixture sitting third in the table with 26 points from 12 games, and they’ve made a bright start to life in the First Division South. Their overall record — 8 wins, 2 draws, and 3 defeats in all competitions — paints a picture of a confident, well-organised side. Their recent form shows a bit of everything: D, D, W, L, W — unbeaten in their last five in all competitions and scoring goals freely. With 31 goals scored and just 2 conceded in Division One South, Hutton have been among the most entertaining sides in the division.

In September, they were particularly impressive, racking up five wins out of six and scoring 16 goals in the process. A single 3-0 away defeat to Basildon Town, the only blot on the copy book. They haven’t quite been as ruthless in October, but they remain a serious threat going forward.

Head-to-Head and the Challenge Ahead

This will be the second between the two sides this season, and it comes at a crucial time. For Hoddesdon, it’s less about statistics and more about spirit. Facing one of the league’s strongest outfits can be daunting — but it can also be the kind of fixture that lights a spark. Hutton have proven themselves on the road this year. Their away record is outstanding — six wins, one draw, and just one defeat from eight matches away from home. They’ve scored 24 goals on their travels, more than any other side in the division, and conceded only 15.

That sort of form speaks volumes, but as every football fan knows, statistics don’t win games — players do. Hoddesdon’s job will be to stay organised early on, frustrate the visitors, and make Lowfield’s tight pitch and vocal support count.

In the away game back on the 13th of August, the Lilywhites started brightly, dominating the early exchanges and twice going close in the opening ten minutes, with Bailey Eden and Connor Bolton testing the home defence. Hoddesdon’s energy and pressing unsettled Hutton, who took time to find their rhythm, but despite the visitors’ pressure, the breakthrough wouldn’t come.

After a goalless first half, Hoddesdon were inches from taking the lead when Bolton’s long-range strike rattled the crossbar. Moments later, Hutton took advantage of a deflected free kick from Joshua Boxall that wrong-footed keeper Liam Nugent to make it 1–0. The visitors continued to battle bravely, but as they pushed for an equaliser, Hutton sealed the win late on through Alfie Yeend’s composed finish in the 84th minute.

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for Hoddesdon to take. Man of the Match Bailey Eden was outstanding in midfield, driving the team forward and setting the tempo, while Nugent made several fine saves to keep his side in it. It was another frustrating night where effort and commitment went unrewarded — but the performance showed that Hoddesdon are more than capable of competing with the best.

Home Comforts and Hope

Lowfield has always been a special place under the floodlights. It’s where the crowd’s energy feels electric, where the familiar chants echo from the stand, and where the team have produced countless memorable nights over the years. While this season hasn’t yet delivered the results everyone hoped for, there have been glimpses of the old fighting spirit. Hoddesdon’s two home victories in other competitions show that, given the right circumstances, the side can rise to the occasion.

Gaffer Simon Riddle will be calling on that same determination on Tuesday night — urging his players to rediscover their belief, stay compact, and use every ounce of effort to give the supporters something to cheer about.

Hutton: The Visitors

Hutton arrive at Lowfield sitting third in the table and looking like genuine promotion contenders. Managed by a confident, attack-minded coaching team, they’ve shown balance and consistency across their games this season — particularly impressive given the competitiveness of the division. They started their campaign with back-to-back wins in July and have kept up that momentum ever since. Their September form was particularly eye-catching: five wins and just one defeat, scoring 16 goals and conceding only seven. They’re not invincible, though — they’ve dropped points in both of their October fixtures so far, drawing twice.

They also like to play on the front foot, which could leave space for Hoddesdon to exploit on the counterattack. If the Lilywhites can stay tight at the back and use their pace out wide, there might be opportunities to surprise their high-flying visitors.

The Table Doesn’t Lie — But It Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

The First Division South table currently shows Hoddesdon at 21st place, bottom of the standings with 0 points from eight matches, having scored 7 goals and conceded 23. But the league is still young, and gaps can close quickly. A couple of wins on the bounce can transform the mood and the mathematics. Hoddesdon will know that getting off the mark sooner rather than later is crucial, especially with the winter months approaching.

Hutton, meanwhile, sit 3rd — just two points off the top spot, behind Lymore Gardens and Newbury Forest, both on 28 points. They’ll arrive knowing a win could potentially send them top depending on other results. That dynamic could work in Hoddesdon’s favour. With the pressure firmly on Hutton to keep pace at the summit, the Lilywhites can approach the game with nothing to lose — and everything to gain.

What They’ll Be Saying

Riddle, along with his team of Jeff Cross, Andy Prutton and Ray Greenall, will be rallying his players with a simple message: play with pride and play for each other. They will want to see intensity from the first whistle, closing down the spaces Hutton thrive in and making Lowfield an uncomfortable place to visit. There’s also likely to be an emphasis on defensive discipline. With Hutton boasting 39 goals already this term, the back four will need to stay compact, cut out supply to their dangerous forwards, and limit set-piece opportunities.

At the other end, Hoddesdon will look to take their chances when they come. The goals have been hard to come by so far, but confidence can change in a heartbeat with one strike. A fast start or an early goal could make all the difference.

The Fans’ Perspective

Supporters have been magnificent this season, even in the face of adversity. The turnout at Lowfield has remained strong, and the passion in the stands has never wavered. Tuesday night’s home match provides another chance for fans to get behind the boys and create that trademark Hoddesdon roar. For the players, there’s no better feeling than hearing the fans lift them late in a game. For the fans, there’s nothing sweeter than seeing their side finally rewarded for their loyalty and belief. It’s nights like these that can spark a revival — and everyone at the club will be hoping this is where the season starts to turn.

The Details

• Fixture: Hoddesdon Town vs Hutton
• Date: Tuesday 14 October 2025
• Kick-off: 7:45pm
• Venue: Lowfield, Hoddesdon Town Football Club
• Competition: Thurlow Nunn League First Division South
• League Positions: Hutton (3rd, 26 pts) | Hoddesdon Town (21st, 0 pts)
• Entry is £7 Adults and £5 Concessions, Under12s FREE. We accept Cash or Card.

We invite all our supporters, old and new, to head to Lowfield where a warm welcome is waiting for you. Hoddesdon Town FC is embarking on a new era and we are working closely with our co-tenants, Hoddesdon Cricket Club, and the wider local community, to bring you a multi sports venue to be proud of, and create a local hub for everybody. Opening up our club to all is at the top of our agenda and your support is hugely appreciated. Our tea bar will be open serving hot and cold refreshments, as well the bar inside the clubhouse where you will find great beers, ciders and stout on draught, in conjunction with our partner and sponsor, Greene King. Indeed, Greene King's delicious Level Head IPA is our Man of the Match sponsor, and winners will be presented with a case for their efforts.

Final Word

It’s been a challenging start, no question. But football seasons are built on moments — and Hoddesdon Town’s next moment might be just around the corner. Tuesday night under the lights, at home, against a strong Hutton side — it’s the kind of fixture where reputations can be rebuilt and confidence can return. All it takes is one win to change the picture.

The fans will be there. The lights will be bright. And for Hoddesdon Town, the mission is simple: fight for every ball, believe in every minute, and make Lowfield proud.

Let’s bring the noise.

#COYL