With no game in eleven days, Hoddesdon Town return to Lowfield in the league as they host bottom of the league Park View this weekend. Short of match practice or plenty rested and raring to go?

We find out on Saturday.

There was an air of disappointment around 4:30pm on Tuesday when the news came through that after consistent rain fall all day, the Lowfield pitch was now unplayable and the decision to postpone the game against Barkingside was inevitably announced. Having already had their previous game away to Southend Manor postponed, it meant a long wait until the next fixture and the opportunity to build on recent good form. Four clean sheets in the last five games, including a long awaited league home win, a County Cup quarter and semi final win, as well as thrashing local rivals away in a derby match and climbing away from danger, has lifted the mood around the camp and there is a hunger for more football and the potential of turning a disappointing season around and finishing on a much more positive note.

Park View Football Club is a football club based in Tottenham, England. They play at the New River Sports Stadium (formerly New River Community Sports Centre) in Wood Green. The club was formed in 1991 as a group of friends organising matches on a Sunday. In 2007 the club joined Division One Central & East of the Middlesex County League, going on to win the division at the first attempt, but then left the league. In later years they entered the English football league system, joining Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands League. The club were unbeaten Division Two League Champions as well as Division Two Cup Winners in their first season in the league, earning promotion to Division One and now find themselves in the Thurlow Nunn First Division South.

The road this season, however, hasn't been a smooth one.

A tweet posted on the clubs Twitter account back on the 21st of September just twelve games into the new season, and following a resounding 7-0 away defeat to Wormley, read:

'HELP!! We have no other choice than to fold & pull out of the league! The club has struggled to keep up with costs, unable to provide training venue for the team & need support via sponsors or donations. We really want to keep the club alive, please DM us if you can help!!!'

It is good to see that the team has managed to find a way to carry on playing their games without having to fold, but the obvious stress and strain of trying to run the club on limited resources has clearly taken it's toll on the White Hart Lane based side.

You can follow Park View FC on Twitter/X HERE

Their league record this season reads played 29, won 6, drawn 2, lost 21 and posting 20 points on the board. In that time, they have scored 37 goals and conceded 88, giving them a goal difference of -51. This run has seen them firmly rooted to the bottom of the table for the majority of the season and in danger of slipping out of the league.

There are some positive notes however.

Their last outing was a fantastic 6-2 away win versus 12th placed Newbury Forest. They have also clocked up wins this season against Tower Hamlets, Burnham Ramblers, Brimsdown, Basildon Town and Southend Manor. They also seem more comfortable on their travels, a trait that Hoddesdon themselves have been guilty of this season, finding home wins difficult to come by, but being more successful on the road. Five of their six wins this season have been away from their N22 base, with no draws, ten defeats, scoring 26 but conceding 52.

At the time of writing this article on Wednesday evening, Park View are shortly due to play 11th placed Clapton away (how have they managed to get that fixture past their significant others on Valentines Day!!??) and so it will be another good opportunity for them to put some more away points on the board, ahead of their trip to Hertfordshire in three days time.

(Update. Park View won their game 2-0 on Wednesday evening away to Clapton, once again showing that they are a threat away from home and far from a 'soft touch').

Perhaps another indication of the troubles Park View have encountered this season is the 98 players that have so far made appearances for them this season. 36 of those players have made just one appearance for the team and 83 players have failed to reach double figure appearances. That level of turnover of players would be difficult for any club to manage and achieve some kind of consistency, but they do have players in their ranks capable of producing important displays.

The clubs leading goalscorer this term is Brandon Fulton, with 6 goals in 20 appearances. That said, his name hasn't been seen on the Park View team sheet since a 3-1 home defeat to Tower Hamlets on the 18th of November, therefore leaving this roving reporter wondering if he is currently out with a long term injury, or if he has indeed parted ways with the club. David Aderibigbe leads the way in terms of appearances this season with 24 and he was present for the 2-1 home defeat to Burnham Ramblers in late January, so there is hope that there are a few main stays and loyal players that the manager can rely on in times of trouble.

However, with all of the above contributing to a less than ideal season so far for our visitors, Hoddesdon will be hoping they can inflict further pain on Park View and will surely be relishing the chance to get back out on the pitch, play some football and with luck, score some goals.

Connor Bolton still leads the scoring charts for the Lilywhites with 7 strikes in his 22 appearances in all competitions, but as stated before, he is being caught by the likes of Dion Laughton, Callum Bennison, Narcis Filip and Blue Gallagher.

George Smith now shares the appearance record for the season (26) with stopper Liam Nugent, and the midfielder has started 23 of those games, whilst appearing from the bench on three occasions. He has become a mainstay of the Lilywhite midfield and can be counted on when the going gets tough.

Before the game kicks off on Saturday, there will be a minute's silence for former Lilywhite Phil Maybury, who sadly passed away on Sunday the 11th of February. Phil is fondly remembered by all at the club as part of the famous FA Vase winning side who claimed the inaugural trophy at Wembley Stadium on Saturday the 19th of April 1975. You can read our tribute to Phil and all about his wonderful contribution to our club by clicking HERE.

Kick Off is 3pm and the clubhouse bar and tea bar will be open, serving hot and cold refreshments. Sample our draught range at the bar, with Spanish favourite Cruzcampo Lager, Greene Kings delicious Ice Breaker IPA and Inch's Apple Cider at the taps this weekend.

Entry
Adults £8 / Concessions £5 / Under 12's £2

Youth team players can gain FREE access with up to two parents when wearing their Youth Team shirt.

We accept Cash and Card at Lowfield (excludes American Express)

Enjoy the game.

#COYL