Hoddesdon left it late to extend their unbeaten run to eleven games after a stoppage time equaliser against 7th placed Stansted ensured a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Despite the rain in the preceding 48 hours, the ground staff have delivered a pitch that can absorb it well and it was ‘game on’ under the lights.

The Stansted line-up contained two popular players that were with us last season as we welcomed back George Hamill and Reece Barnett. Hoddesdon manager, Simon Riddle, was able to name an unchanged starting 11 after last week’s win at Brimsdown, and the team were right at it from the off with some crisp passing across the midfield.

Eleven minutes in and the industrious Jonah Evans produced a low, fizzed cross after good build up on the right, but it somehow went through without anyone finding a touch. Two minutes later and a tight passing move saw Connor Bolton play in Connor Casey who produced an excellent first touch to set himself up for what looked a certain goal. However, former Hoddesdon defender Reece Barnett showed the class we are all familiar with and slid in from nowhere to clear it off Casey’s toes at the last moment.

Stansted were showing what they were capable of in spells too and a freekick was well delivered into the box after 17 minutes. The ball was chested up and struck on the volley and off the crossbar. A warning for Hoddesdon.

22 minutes gone and more good work from Jonah Evans down the right saw him set up the onrushing Bailey Eden who forced a good save from Sam Butler in the Stansted goal. With ten minutes to go before half time, Stansted broke the deadlock. A direct freekick on the edge of the Hoddesdon box was hit low through the wall from Archie Hammond and seemed to take a deft deflection that was enough to sneak it in at the bottom corner. 0-1.

Hoddesdon had time for a free kick of their own through Connor Bolton just before half time, but his looping effort hit the crossbar. As the halftime whistle sounded, it was disappointment for Reece Barnett who had aggravated an existing injury and left the field to applause from all fans but in visible discomfort. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The halftime highlight was delivered courtesy of Hoddesdon’s Jimmy Agnew who whacked in a wordlie of ‘side-on scissor smash volley’ whilst warming up with the substitutes. If he pulls that one off in a game, then we’ll really celebrate.

The second half was fairly even for the most part with neither side quite able to carve out a clear-cut chance and both keepers dealing with balls into the box well. 77 minutes gone and Liam Nugent produced a fine save from a rasping Stansted shot. The subsequent corner pinged around in the box but was ultimately cleared off the line by Evans.

The second half had seen a wave of Hoddesdon substitutions and the fresh legs of Lala, Brown, Smith and Jordan were making inroads and increasing the pressure. On 83 minutes, it was Jason Brown with a run into the area where he was clipped by the keeper as he played the ball round him. The penalty shouts were waved away despite the contact with perhaps the question initially coming from whether the ball was still under control or not, and in fact, a yellow was then shown, presumably for diving.

Hoddesdon were not to be denied though and two minutes into stoppage time delivered a corner into the six-yard box where a stooping header from the inimitable Connor Bolton forced the ball over the line and sparked celebrations from the watching supporters. An episode of ‘pushy-shovey’ ensued and red card was shown to Stansted captain Michael Mignot, closely followed by the full-time whistle.

The weekend sees the side travel to Chipperfield Corinthians in the Centenary Trophy Quarter Final. Next up at Lowfield will be Basildon Town on the 20th December. This is the rearranged game after the floodlights gave up at half time in the first attempt so we will be making it “Pay-What-You-Like” on the gate. It’s a great opportunity to avoid the Christmas shopping and join us at Lowfield instead. All welcome!

MotM – Hadley Richards for another excellent display of defensive discipline and attacking threat.

HTFC Team: Nugent, Evans, Richards, Ried (Smith 83), Gibbs ©, Abana, Eden (Brown 68), Bozych (Jordan 68), Casey (Lala 60), Wilkinson, Bolton.