This Friday night, Hoddesdon Town FC travel to The Parkside Stadium, the home of Aveley FC, to take on Cannon's Wood FC in what promises to be an action-packed evening of football. With both teams eager to move up the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One South table, this match under the Friday night lights is set to deliver excitement from start to finish.

Hoddesdon currently sit just above their hosts, occupying 10th in the league table, just ahead of Cannon's Wood FC, who are positioned 11th. With just goal difference separating the teams, both sides will be looking to grab maximum points in this encounter. Cannon's Wood, having played five games so far this season with a record of three wins and two losses, are looking to bounce back and improve their home form.

However, Cannon's Wood have struggled on their home turf this season, losing two home games to Basildon and Harlow Town, conceding five goals in each match. Indeed, in the game against Harlow, our hosts were reduced to 9 men after a physical altercation. Just before half time, after a strong challenge from Jack Martin on Osholake, the Cannons Wood defender retaliated, causing numerous players to run into the scene, with the end result being a red card for both Osholake and Hernan Mwanza for Cannons Wood, with Jack Martin going into the book for Harlow Town. With Cannons Wood down to 9 men, this provided a major chance for Harlow and they went on to pummel their opponents, 5-1.

This shaky home form gives Hoddesdon Town an excellent opportunity to take advantage and secure a win, but the hosts did successfully dismantle AS London at home, winning 4-2 on the 9th of August. Last time out, Cannon's Wood exited the FA Vase with a 2-1 away defeat to Newbury Forest last Saturday.

Gabriel Odili will look to keep the Lilywhite defence occupied, and he has a fine record already this season with 4 goals in 5 appearances.

Last season saw two very entertaining games between the two sides, and Hoddesdon remained undefeated, snatching 4 points from the two fixtures in the 23/24 season. In our last encounter, Hoddesdon Town emerged victorious with a 2-1 win at The Parkside Stadium. The Lilywhites dominated much of the game, with an own goal in the 34th minute and a spectacular 25-yard free-kick from Connor Bolton five minutes later putting us in a commanding position. Despite a late surge from Cannon's Wood, including a goal in the final stages, Hoddesdon held firm to take all three points, with Patrick Hoy being sent off for Cannon's Wood in the 86th minute and two players being sin binned, leaving the hosts to complete the tie with just 8 men remaining on the field!! Read the full match report from a great away win HERE.

In the home game, Harrison Cage and a 95th minute Jack Gibbs equaliser rescued a point for Simon Riddle's men. You can watch the moment Gibbs sent the home fans into raptures, HERE.

With both those results last season, Chairman Liam Goodenough will be desperate to finally get one over Hoddesdon Town. The self styled social media protagonist and Arsenal foghorn known as 'DT', is a regular behind the dug out at the Parkside Stadium and is often an additional attraction at their games, aside from the on field action.

You can follow the hugely entertaining Cannon's Wood X account by clicking HERE.

Hoddesdon have their own troubles to contend with however, with no win in the last 5 games, 3 draws and 2 defeats denying the Lilywhites any hope of securing the 3 points in recent outings. Whilst there have been good performances, the inability to stick the ball in the net has proved costly and manager Simon Riddle will hope somebody will put their hand up and take responsibility for scoring the goals required. Nine goals scored in seven games, five in the opening two fixtures, will not be good enough form to push for a promotion place this season. A midweek friendly showed promise on Tuesday, a 2-0 win against Ilford with goals from Blue Gallagher and Ben Clarke, in an important workout for the team, but the plethora of chances being created must be converted for the Lilywhites to stand any chance of claiming a top 5 place.

With Cannon's Wood looking to recover from some heavy home defeats and Hoddesdon Town aiming to capitalise on our opponents’ recent defensive and disciplinary struggles, this match promises to be a tightly contested battle. The Lilywhites will be hopeful of extending their hoodoo over the hosts and maintaining their position ahead of Cannon's Wood in the table, but the team that originally emanates from Harlow will of course provide an extremely tricky obstacle with a hugely talented squad that always play some very good football.

All travelling support is welcome. Kick off is 7:45pm.

Entry Fees: Adults: £7 Concessions: £4 Under 16s: £1 Under 12s: Free Entry

Stay tuned to our social media for live updates throughout the match and post-game analysis. See you at The Parkside Stadium!

Enjoy the game.

#COYL