Hoddesdon Town vs. Everett Rovers, Herts Senior Centenary Trophy

Hoddesdon Town FC will embark on a title defence this Saturday at Lowfield, against a formidable opponent, Everett Rovers.

The Lilywhites are coming off a successful season that culminated in lifting the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy. Last year, they triumphed in a gripping final against Royston U23s, which ended 1-1 after extra time. In a tense penalty shoot-out, the Lilywhites emerged victorious with a score of 11-10, claiming the trophy for the fourth time in their history and equaling the record held by London Lions.

In this thrilling final, Hoddesdon found themselves under pressure early on but quickly took the lead through Jack Riddle’s header from a free-kick in the eighth minute. The Lilywhites dominated the first half, creating several opportunities but could only muster a single goal as Royston’s defense held firm. After halftime, Royston equalized with a stunning 25-yard strike from substitute Jack Davis, which set the stage for a nail-biting penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Hoddesdon took the first kick, and after both sides exchanged successful attempts, the pressure mounted. Ultimately, a magnificent save from goalkeeper Liam Nugent sealed the win for Hoddesdon, allowing them to lift the trophy once more.

So many fond memories were made that night, and winning the trophy itself was the culmination of a long, hard season for the squad.

Hoddesdon enter this match with strong momentum, having built a solid squad capable of competing at a high level. They are coming off a narrow 2-1 home defeat to league leaders Hackney Wick, where they performed excellently but were unfortunate to come away empty-handed. The Lilywhites showed great resilience and determination throughout the match, creating several opportunities but ultimately falling short against a well-organized side. A couple of decisions went against them in the latter stages of the game, and ultimately, a minimum of a point could not have been sniffed at by even the harshest critic.

Having received a bye in the previous round of this cup, Simon Riddle will be eager to hit the ground running and assert dominance as defending champions. With a solid foundation and a strong sense of purpose, Hoddesdon are poised to make a significant impact in this competition.

Everett Rovers: A Rising Force

On the other hand, Everett Rovers are not to be underestimated. Formed in March 1997, the club has quickly made a name for itself within the local football scene. Originally a youth team, they have developed into a competitive senior side, showcasing their commitment to the community and the sport.

Everett Rovers compete in the Herts County League Premier Division and have enjoyed a remarkable season thus far. Currently sitting 3rd in their league, they have accumulated an impressive 27 points from 11 matches, winning 9, drawing none, and losing only 2. Their goal-scoring prowess is evident, with 63 goals scored and just 23 conceded, giving them a strong goal difference of +40. For various reasons, our opponents this weekend have only played two away games all season in all competitions, with one win and one defeat, so it remains to be seen just how good the form is, away from their Watford base. It is a remarkable turnaround for the club this season however, with a 15th place finish last year and a dangerous flirt with relegation that was avoided by just two points.

A standout performer for Everett in the new season is Harry Bennett, who has netted an incredible 23 goals in just 12 appearances across all competitions this season. His pace, agility, and finishing ability make him a constant threat to opposing defences. In addition, Jason Puzey has contributed 11 goals in as many games, showcasing his knack for being in the right place at the right time. Nicholas Kerley also adds to their attacking firepower with 8 goals in 9 games, making the trio a formidable challenge for any defence.

Everett Rovers come into this match with confidence after a thrilling 5-3 victory at home against Owens First Team. This win exemplifies their attacking flair and ability to score multiple goals in a single match. However, their defensive vulnerabilities were also exposed, as they conceded three goals, indicating that Hoddesdon’s attackers will likely look to exploit any weaknesses in the backline.

Interestingly, one of Everett's two league defeats came from another Lowfield resident, OIR FC, who managed a narrow 4-3 victory against them on September 10th. This encounter serves as a reminder that while Everett is a high-scoring team, they can also be susceptible to conceding goals in big games.

Everett Rovers FC was formed when a group of local parents decided to create their own team, moving away from Herons Youth FC. The first meeting was held at The Bill Everett Community Centre in Watford, named in honour of Bill Everett, a well-respected local councillor and avid football fan. His legacy continues to resonate within the club, which has embraced community values and aims to nurture local talent. As Everett Rovers grew in stature, they began competing at higher levels within the Herts County League, making a name for themselves through hard work and determination. Their rapid rise to prominence in the local football scene has added to the excitement of this cup tie, with both teams now vying for a place in the next round.

To reach the second round, the visitors registered a fine 5-2 away win against Allenbury's Sports, a Nathan Page hat trick the feature of an excellent performance to get the campaign in this competition underway.

This match is not just about progression in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy; it also carries implications for both clubs' morale and confidence as the season unfolds. For Hoddesdon, winning this match would be a significant statement as they aim to defend their title and reassert their dominance in the competition. For Everett Rovers, a victory would signal their arrival on the cup stage and provide a tremendous boost for their league campaign. The prospect of facing either Cheshunt FC Development or London Cheetahs in the next round adds further motivation for both teams, as they vie for victory.

You can view the entire draw for this competition by clicking HERE

In Lilywhite team news, the gaffer was pleased to get some players back from injury last week, but some are still two or three weeks away, namely Liam Nugent, Connor Casey, Harrison Cage and Dillon Lee. He went on to say 'Fayme, our Sports Therapist, is working hard to get these players back on the pitch as soon as possible. Having last season’s leading goalscorer, Connor Bolton back fit and back to scoring ways is always a bonus, although this season he is lagging behind Ben Clarke, Blue Gallagher and Callum Bennison in the scoring table...'. Debutant Jason Brown netted Hoddesdon's goal in the previous game and fans will be excited to see how he develops this season.

Entry on Saturday is £8 Adults and £5 Concessions, Under12s FREE.

We invite all our supporters, old and new, to head to Lowfield where a warm welcome is waiting for you. Hoddesdon Town FC is embarking on a new era and we are working closely with our co-tenants, Hoddesdon Cricket Club, and the wider local community, to bring you a multi sports venue to be proud of, and create a local hub for everybody. Opening up our club to all is at the top of our agenda and your support is hugely appreciated. Our tea bar will be open serving hot and cold refreshments, as well the bar inside the clubhouse where you will find great beers, ciders and stout on draught, in conjunction with our partner and sponsor, Greene King. Indeed, Greene King's delicious Level Head IPA is our new Man of the Match sponsor, and winners will be presented with a case for their efforts.

Kick Off is 3pm and we will also be showing the 12:30pm Premier League game, Newcastle v Arsenal, and the 5:30pm game, Wolves v Crystal Palace, on the big screens.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL