After grinding out a disciplined 0-0 draw away at Cannons Wood on the opening day, Hoddesdon Town travelled to NW London looking to turn a promising defensive display into three valuable points. Their hosts had endured a nightmare start to the campaign, losing 8-1 in their opener, but Hoddesdon knew there would be no easy games in this league.

By full-time, the Lilywhites had produced a commanding performance to claim a convincing 4-0 victory, keeping another clean sheet in the process and announcing themselves as a side capable of challenging anyone this season.

From the first whistle, Hoddesdon settled into the contest. Calm in possession and organised without the ball, the visitors controlled proceedings and pinned NW London back inside their own half.

The deadlock was broken after just seven minutes in bizarre fashion.

A dangerous Hoddesdon corner caused panic inside the six-yard box. The initial header was blocked before a frantic scramble followed, with the home goalkeeper making two outstanding saves as defenders desperately hacked at the ball. Players in lily white appealed furiously as another effort looked to have crossed the line, and after a brief pause, the assistant referee signalled that the ball had indeed gone over. The referee pointed to the centre circle and Hoddesdon had the breakthrough they thoroughly deserved.

Whether it was the cleanest goal of the season mattered little to the travelling supporters. Their side had started brightly and finally had the reward their early pressure warranted.

Rather than protect their lead, Hoddesdon continued to attack with confidence.

Their second goal on 20 minutes was one worthy of any highlights reel.

Jason Brown linked brilliantly with Connor Casey, exchanging a neat one-two that sliced through the NW London defence. Casey then whipped a superb cross into the penalty area where Jack Gibbs rose highest to meet it. The striker planted a powerful header beyond the helpless goalkeeper to double the Lilywhites’ advantage and silence any hopes of a home comeback.

The visitors were now playing with freedom.

Midfield battles were being won, the defence remained composed and every attack looked capable of producing another goal.

On 31 minutes Hadley Richards produced another excellent delivery towards Gibbs, who again found space inside the penalty area. His header looked destined for the corner, but this time the goalkeeper was equal to it, holding on well to deny the striker a second goal before half-time.

NW London’s only real chance of the opening period arrived right on the stroke of half-time.

A speculative strike from distance flew towards the top corner, but goalkeeper Nugent showed exactly why his teammates trust him. Springing full length to his right, he produced a superb fingertip save to preserve Hoddesdon’s two-goal cushion. It proved to be a huge moment as the visitors headed into the interval firmly in control.

Half-Time: NW London 0-2 Hoddesdon Town

Any thoughts of a home revival were quickly dismissed after the restart.

Just three minutes into the second half, the NW London goalkeeper wandered well off his line, presenting Hoddesdon with an opportunity to catch him out. Connor Bolton cleverly spotted Jack Gibbs waiting at the far post and attempted an ambitious delivery across goal. Gibbs couldn’t quite arrive in time, but the loose ball fell kindly for Hadley Richards, whose first-time volley flew narrowly over the crossbar at tremendous pace. It was another reminder that the visitors were hunting for more goals rather than settling for the scoreline.

The third finally arrived on 59 minutes from a familiar source.

Another dangerous corner was swung into the penalty area and Cagey attacked it with determination. Beating everyone to the ball, he powered a header beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 and effectively end the contest. Hoddesdon’s set-piece quality had caused problems all afternoon, and once again it paid dividends.

As frustration grew for the home side, discipline began to disappear.

On 77 minutes one NW London player was shown a sin-bin by the referee following an incident. Moments later, after an apparent misunderstanding with the official’s gestures, the same player re-entered the field of play before being immediately shown a red card for returning without permission. The bizarre sequence summed up a frustrating afternoon for the hosts and left them to finish the match with ten men.

Hoddesdon remained professional and continued to move the ball with confidence.

Their fourth goal arrived seven minutes from time.

A teasing cross drifted towards the back post where Jack Gibbs had once again found space. The striker made no mistake, calmly tapping home from close range to complete his brace and cap another impressive individual display.

Even then, the Lilywhites were not satisfied.

Connor Bolton came agonisingly close to adding a fifth when his effort crashed back off the post with the goalkeeper beaten. Moments later, Cagey danced brilliantly past a defender inside the penalty area, showing wonderful footwork before seeing his goal-bound strike take a deflection behind for a corner.

It was the final opportunity of an evening that belonged almost entirely to Hoddesdon.

The clean sheet made it back-to-back shutouts to start the season, while four goals at the other end demonstrated the attacking quality supporters have been waiting to see. Every department contributed, from Nugent’s important first-half save to the defensive resilience, the midfield control and the clinical finishing in front of goal.

Two games into the new campaign, Hoddesdon remain unbeaten, have yet to concede a goal and now have their first three points on the board. If this display is anything to go by, the Lilywhites will travel home believing this could be the start of something special.

Full-Time: NW London 0-4 Hoddesdon Town
COYL