Today’s trip to Aveley to face Brimsdown (yeah.. we know) produced one of those memorable occasions for Hoddesdon Town FC. A five-goal away victory ensured the Town remain at the top of the league, but the result was accompanied by a landmark moment as Connor Bolton reached an incredible 100 goals for the club. It was a performance that combined attacking quality, clinical finishing and, ultimately, enough resilience to see off a late Brimsdown fightback. Connor Casey was the star of the first half with a hat-trick of goal involvements, while Bolton wrote his name into club history with goals number 99 and 100.

For the Hoddesdon faithful making the journey to Aveley, it was certainly a day to remember.

Fast Start Sets the Tone
Hoddesdon started the afternoon on the front foot and immediately looked capable of causing problems for the Brimsdown defence. Just three minutes had been played when Nugent went long towards Casey. The forward got to the ball and struck it first time on the bounce, attempting to lob the Brimsdown goalkeeper. The effort drifted wide, but it was an early indication of Hoddesdon’s attacking intent. The pressure continued. On six minutes, a cross was delivered into the area towards Orchard, who rose to meet it with a header. Unfortunately, the attempt cleared the Brimsdown goal, but Hoddesdon were already beginning to establish themselves in dangerous areas.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 12th minute. Hoddesdon were awarded a penalty, and Connor Casey stepped up with the responsibility of giving the visitors the lead. There was no hesitation from Casey as he converted from the spot to put Hoddesdon 1–0 ahead. It was exactly the sort of start the travelling supporters would have wanted. The Town had created opportunities in the opening stages, and now they had the goal to show for their pressure.

But Casey was far from finished.

Just six minutes later, he doubled both his own tally and Hoddesdon’s advantage.

Casey Scored His First From The Spot

On 18 minutes, Casey found himself in behind the Brimsdown defence and faced with the goalkeeper. Showing composure, he knocked the ball around the keeper before following up to tap it into the net. Brimsdown 0–2 Hoddesdon Town and Town were firmly in control. Casey’s movement and finishing had given Brimsdown a huge problem, and with a two-goal advantage inside the opening 20 minutes, Hoddesdon were able to play with increasing confidence.

The hosts needed something to change the momentum, but instead it was Hoddesdon who struck again.

Connor Casey Grabbed A Brace

Gibbs Makes It Three
The third goal arrived in the 28th minute, and once again Casey was at the heart of the action. This time, Casey turned provider, delivering a cross into the area for Gibbs. Gibbs made no mistake, tapping the ball into the net to make it 3–0. Three goals inside the opening half-hour represented a commanding performance from Hoddesdon, who had taken their opportunities when they came. The scoreline also reflected the difference in finishing. Hoddesdon had made their attacking pressure count, while Brimsdown had been unable to prevent the visitors from creating clear openings.

Jack Gibbs Grabbed A Third

With Hoddesdon three goals to the good, the remainder of the first half was played out with Hoddesdon holding a commanding advantage.

HT: Brimsdown 0–3 Hoddesdon Town FC

With a three-goal cushion, Hoddesdon entered the second half with a comfortable lead, but the job was not yet complete. Brimsdown needed a response, while Riddle's men were looking to add to their advantage and put the result beyond any doubt. In the 62nd minute, Hoddesdon came close to doing exactly that. Gallagher delivered a ball across the face of goal, creating an opportunity for the visitors. However, despite the promising position, Hoddesdon were unable to apply the finishing touch. It was a reminder that there were still chances to be taken, but the Town would not have to wait much longer for another goal.

And when the fourth arrived, it was a particularly special one.

The clock showed 69 minutes when Connor Bolton found the net to make it 4–0. For Bolton, however, this was much more than simply another goal. It was his 99th goal for Hoddesdon Town. The supporters could surely sense what was coming. One more strike needed to reach a remarkable century in the colours of the Town. The atmosphere around the travelling support must have been building as Bolton and his teammates continued to push forward.

Connor Bolton: Centurion

Then, just three minutes later, history was made.

100 Up for Connor Bolton!

72 minutes. The moment Hoddesdon supporters had been waiting for. Connor Bolton scored again. The scoreboard moved to 0–5, but the significance of the goal went far beyond the scoreline. It was Connor Bolton’s 100th goal for Hoddesdon Town FC. A century of goals for one club is an achievement worthy of celebration, and reaching the milestone in a five-goal away victory made the occasion even more memorable. For everyone connected with the club, it was a fitting moment to celebrate. Bolton’s goals have formed an important part of Hoddesdon’s story, and today he reached a landmark that will stand out in the club’s history.

Two goals in three minutes. And an already memorable afternoon had become a very special one indeed.

Bolton Has 11 in 10 This Campaign

Brimsdown Fight Back

At 0–5 down with just 15 minutes remaining, the result appeared to be firmly settled. However, football can change quickly, and Brimsdown showed their determination to give their supporters something to cheer about. In the 75th minute, the hosts pulled a goal back. Just two minutes later, Brimsdown struck again. Suddenly, the score was 2–5, and Hoddesdon had to ensure that the late pressure did not turn into something more serious.

Hoddesdon had built an enormous advantage and, despite the two late goals, they held firm for the remainder of the contest. The important thing was that Hoddesdon had already done the majority of the hard work. The five goals scored before Brimsdown’s response gave the visitors enough breathing room to see the game through. When the final whistle arrived, the result was confirmed.

FT: Brimsdown 2–5 Hoddesdon Town FC.

For Hoddesdon supporters, there was plenty to celebrate on the journey home. The Town had scored five goals away from home, taken all three points and, most importantly, remained top of the league. It was another significant result in what has been a strong campaign so far, with Hoddesdon continuing to set the pace at the summit. But while the league position is important, today will undoubtedly be remembered for another reason too.

It is the kind of milestone that deserves to be celebrated, and there could hardly have been a more dramatic way to reach it. Bolton’s 99th goal arrived in the 69th minute, before number 100 followed just three minutes later. For a player to reach a century of goals for one club is a tremendous achievement, and today’s occasion gave Hoddesdon fans the opportunity to celebrate it together.

Connor Became A Father Last Week

Connor Casey also deserves huge credit for his contribution. His first-half penalty put Hoddesdon in front, his composed finish doubled the advantage and his cross for Gibbs helped create the third. Three goals for the team had Casey directly involved in all three. The early goals gave Hoddesdon control, while Bolton’s second-half double turned a commanding 3–0 lead into a 5–0 scoreline before Brimsdown’s late response. There was ultimately no denying the Lilywhites.

We also give praise to Jake Harvey who was adjudged to be the Man of the Match. He gave a superb performance all afternoon and to stand out like that in front of two braces from Casey and Bolton, says a lot about a player bang in form right now.

Jake Harvey

For the travelling Hoddesdon supporters, this was an afternoon containing almost everything you could ask for.

Five goals scored.
Three points secured.
An away victory.
Top spot retained.
And a club legend reaching a century.

Hoddesdon Remain Top Of The Table

The late Brimsdown goals may have taken a little of the shine off the clean sheet, but they could not change the outcome. Hoddesdon had built too substantial a lead, and the final whistle confirmed another valuable victory. Most importantly, Hoddesdon leave Aveley with the points and their position at the top of the league intact. And whenever the story of Connor Bolton’s 100th Hoddesdon goal is told, there will always be a superb scoreline attached to it.

There Were None Happier Than Peter Checkley On Saturday