The Lilywhites head into the weekend fixture buoyant, following two wins on the bounce and heading up the summit of the Thurlow Nunn Division One South.

Indeed, it has been the start of dreams for Riddle's young side, and not even a 10-0 win for Hutton could remove Hoddesdon Town from top spot during the week. Only Hackney Wick boast an equal record with the Lilywhites, having also won their opening two league games of the season, but Hoddesdon sneak the distinction by way of an improved goal difference.

That could all change come the weekend, and the fixtures don't come harder than a trip to the Essex Coast.

The last time we faced Southend Manor at the Southchurch Park Arena, it was the tail end of last season, and the coastal outfit were desperate for three points to confirm their Step 6 status for next season. On the flip side, Hoddesdon were looking to cement a top 8 finish and were buoyed by recent good results and a cup win. After winning three games in the space of eight days, the Lilywhites found themselves frustrated in their pursuit of a fourth in eleven.

Understandably, Manor gave a determined performance and after taking a two-goal lead around the half-hour mark they withstood sustained pressure from the Lilywhites to come out victorious. The hosts began the game better than the Lilywhites but once it settled down it was the Lilywhites who took over and came closest to taking the lead. Dion Laughton had a good opportunity to score in the 17th minute but his fierce shot from 15 yards was finger-tipped onto a post by the home keeper.

The hosts were then reduced to ten men when one of their players were sin-binned in the 21st minute and, while he was off the field, Conor Casey had a golden chance to score following a good move between Syd Barker and George Rankin, but he fired over the bar from close range. It was to prove a turning point as the hosts scored twice in the 30th and 35th minutes. Both goals were a result of slack defending, totally against the run of play, and took a lot of steam out of the Lilywhites for the remainder of the half.

The second half saw the Lilywhites step up the level of their play and they totally dominated possession to such an extent that the hosts were barely able to cross the half-way line. They defended stoutly, though, and took full advantage of a break out of their half in the 74th minute and add a third goal and virtually seal the result.

The Lilywhites, however, continued to chase a comeback and raised their hopes when they pulled a goal back through Dion Laughton when he tapped home from close range following a shot from Billy Skinner being partially saved.

Lilywhites skipper, Jack Gibbs was then sent off in added-time following an altercation with an opponent – who was also dismissed – and unfortunately, Jack serves the final game of that suspension this weekend. That said, Connor Bolton has been an able deputy in terms of captaincy so far this season, and the likes of Bailey Collins, Jimmy Agnew, Jonah Evans and Hadley Richards have marshalled the defence with aplomb in Jack's absence.

Our hosts have made a few changes through the summer, most notably to their management team.

New gaffer Mark Royal was appointed on the 12th of May, with a club statement reading 'After a tough season, Southend Manor FC are delighted to announce that we have appointed Mark Royal as our new First Team manager'.

Evidently, Royal has been a member of the coaching staff previously but has stepped into the number one role following the departure of Nick Wibrow. Royal and Wibrow took the reigns in November of 2023 and steered the club to safety after an extremely tough campaign that saw them win just 12 league games in 42 attempts. 9 of those came at home though, including the win against Hoddesdon back in late April, so there will be much hope that their home ground can become a fortress.

The pitch at Southend has always been a talking point in non league circles, none more so than on Saturday the 12th of August last year, when upon our arrival at the ground, it was clear that the surface was unfit for purpose and the referee waved it off before a ball was kicked. With many bare patches, huge cracks and debris at the side of a rock hard, bone dry pitch, the surface was deemed unsafe and Hoddesdon had to make the hour and a half journey back to Hertfordshire without any football being played. That being said, recent social media updates have stated how good a condition the surface is in for the new season, owed in part to the hard work of Groundsman Aaron Allibon. The club commented this week 'Our pitch is in the best condition it has been for many years and that is because of one man. A big thank you to our groundsman Aaron Allibon for all his hard work'.

Good news indeed.

Our hosts retained many of their squad from last season, including the likes of Suhail Yasin, Ole Richards, Charlie Biggs, Louis Rodmell, Aaron Akoman, Max Drury and Billy Cottrill. Added to that are new signings such as Portugese central defender Leonardo Ribeiro from Burnham Ramblers, Owen Reynolds, Alfie Gladwin from Heybridge Swifts, Ross Barnes from Basildon Town and Kofi Goodrum who has experience with Billericay Town and Bowers & Pitsea.

Manager Royal, alongside Assistant Dave Dawson and Head Coach George Brown, will be hoping to ensure that the Northumberland Crescent based side can stay clear of a relegation battle this time out and improve on their 19th place finish from last season.

They had a storming opening day home win against St Margaretsbury, beating their opponents 4-1 with goals from Reynolds, Braugham, and the afore mentioned Ross Barnes who bagged a brace. Barnes, however, isn't the only Manor player with two goals to his name already this season, as it was Louis Rodmell who notched twice on Wednesday evening to rescue a point at Basildon Town. Manor found themselves 2-0 down early on in the second half of that game, but it was a mark of their resilience to come back as they did, with Rodmell scoring in the 86th and 94th minute.

Rodmell's late, late penalty snatched a draw and you can watch the jubilation on the Southend Manor bench HERE.

That point saw Manor climb into 4th place at this early stage of the season and they will be desperate to improve on that and in turn, derail Hoddesdon's 100% start to the campaign.

You can follow Southend Manor on X by clicking HERE.

In team news, there is hope that Jack Riddle is returning back to full fitness after two substitute appearances in two games. Kyle Roberts looked like he had a niggly knock to his thigh at full time on Tuesday, so may be subject to a late fitness test. Captain Jack Gibbs remains suspened for the game, with Connor Bolton expected to deputise once again.

Connor Casey continues to be the goalscoring focus for the Lilywhites with three goals in two games and there is much hope that he can be the spark for Hoddesdon this season. New signing Dillon Lee looked comfortable making his debut from the bench against Dunmow Town midweek and man of the match Blue Gallagher will hopefully be available again after his sterling performance at Saffron Walden's ground.

Entry is £10 Adult £5 Concession (which includes Burger and Chips)
OR
Adult £7 Concession £5 (without)
Under 16s Free Entry

Kick Off is 3pm and all travelling support is welcome.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL