Missing Jack Gibbs, Hoddesdon handed midfielder Ollie Finch a starting role, while Ollie Babbage led the line up front. The visitors began the game in assured and confident fashion, moving the ball well and probing the Dunmow defence with some excellent passing and intelligent runs. It took just eight minutes for the breakthrough to arrive. Hadley Richards produced some wonderful work down the left before cutting back onto his right foot and delivering a dangerous cross across the face of goal. Babbage was perfectly placed to apply a deft header, guiding the ball just inside the post to give Hoddesdon a deserved 1-0 lead. On 27 minutes, Jimmy Agnew nearly doubled the advantage. The ball broke to him some distance from goal, and he unleashed a spectacular effort that swerved through the air before crashing against the Dunmow crossbar with what could only be described as "delicious, intended fade".

Hoddesdon continued to test the home side's offside trap, but Dunmow gradually began to exert some pressure of their own. Ten minutes before the break, after working the ball cleverly around the edge of the penalty area, space opened up for Richard Boah to drive a powerful finish beyond the goalkeeper and level the scores at 1-1. The equaliser served as a wake-up call for Hoddesdon, but the back three of Agnew, Orchard and Asekolenga quickly restored order and demonstrated once again why they are such a vital part of the team.

The visitors suffered a setback just before half-time when Ollie Finch went down with what appeared to be a painful injury. Unable to continue, he was replaced after the interval by the lively Reggie Pegrum, highlighting the depth currently available to Simon Riddle's side.
Whatever was said by Riddle and his coaching staff during the break had the desired effect. Hoddesdon emerged for the second half with renewed vigour and purpose. Blue Gallagher was influential throughout, while a series of crosses and attacking moves kept the Dunmow defence under constant pressure. Several chances were blocked or narrowly missed, with a few forward passes just lacking the final touch of precision or going a little long.

As the hour mark approached, it began to feel as though frustration might start creeping into Hoddesdon's afternoon. However, with 59 minutes played, the breakthrough finally arrived. Connor Bolton timed his run perfectly to latch onto a through ball before creating space for himself on the edge of the area. From there, he curled a superb left-footed effort around the defender and into the back of the net. It was a goal his tireless performance deserved and proved to be the catalyst for Hoddesdon to take complete control of the contest.
Fresh legs were introduced down both flanks through Jason Brown and Harrison Cage, with Connor Casey joining them shortly afterwards. The changes proved decisive.

With seven minutes remaining, Casey showed great determination down the left wing, beating his man, keeping the ball in play and delivering an excellent cross for Bolton to score his second of the afternoon and make it 3-1. It capped a Man of the Match display from Bolton and brought his tally for the season to 11 goals.

Riddle's substitutions continued to make their mark, and Brandon Oxley-Fricker added the icing on the cake just before full-time. Collecting the ball inside the area, he calmly placed his finish beyond the Dunmow goalkeeper to complete a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
It was another enjoyable and confidence-boosting win for Riddle's men, who now sit proudly at the summit of the league table with a six-point cushion over their nearest challengers.

Hoddesdon return to the same ground next Saturday to face Heybridge Swifts in the next round of the FA Vase. It promises to be a stern test against the form side from the division above, but Hoddesdon will head into the tie full of belief that they have what it takes to cause a surprise.