It was a blisteringly hot day as Hoddesdon travelled east to take on newly promoted East Thurrock Community. The well-supported Essex side have started the season well and already look at home in Step 6. The final scoreline does not fully reflect the contest, as East Thurrock more than held their own for long periods of the game. Hoddesdon, however, looked keen, hungry and fit, clearly benefiting from the hard work put in during pre-season. They dominated much of the second half and seemed to be scoring at will during the closing stages.

With 29 minutes played, it was East Thurrock who took the lead though. A whipped delivery from Daly on the left found Keiron Miles at the far post, and his finish appeared to squeeze through Liam Nugent to make it 1-0.

Just four minutes later, Hoddesdon won an indirect free-kick 30 yards from goal. Connor Bolton was teed up and sent an excellent curling effort into the top corner to restore parity at 1-1.

After 38 minutes, the lively Harrison Cage saw a long-range effort crash back off the crossbar. It remained 1-1 at the break in a first half that felt as though Hoddesdon were marginally on top.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Hoddesdon took the lead for the first time. A corner from the influential Blue Gallagher was knocked down inadvertently by a Thurrock defender, and Jack Gibbs was on hand to poke home from close range and put Hoddesdon 2-1 ahead.

Substitute Jake Harvey entered the fray just after the hour mark and immediately injected fresh energy into the visitors. It was excellent work from him down the left after 81 minutes that led to Hoddesdon's third goal. Harvey's effort stung the palms of the East Thurrock goalkeeper, and the rebound fell kindly for the onrushing Connor Bolton, who made no mistake at the second (or was it third) attempt to make it 3-1.

The scoring was only halfway finished at that point. Simon Riddle had unleashed his strong bench after the goal, and the fresh legs brought renewed energy and intensity that the hosts struggled to contain. With 85 minutes on the clock, Freddie Wilkinson drilled a low angled effort from distance into the back of the net to make it 4-1.

To their credit, East Thurrock responded almost instantly. Tommy Barnacle found enough space to apply a cool finish and reduce the deficit to 4-2 in the 88th minute. Ollie Finch then went close for Hoddesdon with another effort that struck the crossbar before Reggie Pegrum grabbed his first senior goal for the club to make it 5-2.

There was still time for one more. Connor Casey, who drove the side forward at every opportunity, capped an impressive substitute display by firing another long-range effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 6-2 in the fifth minute of added time.

The final whistle was greeted by cheers from the Hoddesdon players and supporters, with Town heading into Tuesday's home fixture full of confidence and eager to extend their unbeaten start to the season. Join us at Lowfield for that one and be sure to get your season ticket HERE.