Having had 7 days to recover from the heartbreak of penalty shootout defeat in the FA Vase, Hoddesdon make their long awaited return to football, looking to get back to winning ways in the league.

A week in football is a long time and much can happen, and Hoddesdon Town's last few days or so, epitomises that very phrase. It started with the news that due to a technical fault in the clubhouse, our Lowfield base was left without power, an issue that remains unsolved as of writing this article, due to the necessary red tape of liaising with insurance companies, the local council and the engineers tasked with fixing the problem. Fortunately, Hoddesdon were not due to play at home any time soon and have therefore, so far, avoided having to reschedule any games. The same week, our new Coca Cola dispense system was delivered and we can't wait to get it installed and bring you, our supporters, an even better range of products across our bar range. It then dawned that the install would have to be put back due to the power failure, and so once again, the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.

We then took delivery of our new 'Honours Boards' which will shortly be mounted in the clubhouse, recognising all those who have contributed to the clubs hierarchy, including Chairmen, Secretary's, Presidents and Managers, and we look forward to unveiling them shortly.

Then came Saturday and the frustration of defeat on penalties away to Clapton Community FC in the FA Vase. This season represents the 50th Anniversary of our FA Vase win at Wembley, and we were hoping to progress to the next round and perhaps be lucky enough to get a home draw, so we could celebrate the occasion properly. Alas, after a 2-2 draw, it wasn't to be and the lottery of spot kicks unceremoniously dumped us out of the compettion that we have so much affinity with. As it turned out, Clapton CFC were drawn AWAY to Stansted in the First Round Proper, so that elusive home tie was perhaps, never meant to be. Rest assured we will be celebrating the 1975 win at some point this season, so keep your eyes on this website for all the details.

However, we were all cheered up the following day as once again, a decent sized crowd descended upon Lowfield to watch our Under 17s take their rightful place on the Hoddesdon pitch and show that this club continues to grow and extend it's roots to the local community.

And finally, our emotions were once again sent on a rollercoaster ride on Wednesday evening when news reached us that manager Simon Riddle had signed serial goalscorer Stuart Zanone from Hutton FC. Stuart is an unbelievable player and his goal scoring record speaks for itself, currently leading the Thurlow Nunn Division One South Golden Boot race and a real pedigree in front of goal. Our social media channels were on fire with the news and you can read the full story by clicking HERE.

And so to this weekend.

Newbury Forest Football Club are based at the Oakside Stadium in Barkingside, where they ground-share with Redbridge.

The club were founded in 2003 as a Sunday league side. After adding three adult teams and youth teams down to under-10s, the club moved into the English football league system when they joined the Romford and District League in 2008. After winning the senior division in 2010, they progressed to the Essex and Suffolk Border Football League, where they finished third in the Premier Division in 2012. They then moved to the Essex Olympian Football League Division One and were promoted to the Premier Division after finishing third in 2013. After three seasons, they finished bottom in 2016 and were relegated back to Division One. The club applied to join the new Division One South of the Eastern Counties League for the 2018–19 season, and despite finishing eighth in the EOL Division One in 2017–18, their application was successful.

Our hosts currently sit third from bottom in 18th place in the table, but this game is no foregone conclusion.

Newbury Forest have league wins against May & Baker, Southend Manor and a thumping 6-1 win at home against fellow strugglers, St Margaretsbury. They also dumped Cannons Wood out of the FA Vase back in late August, and followed that up by progressing to the first round proper with a brilliant 2-0 away win against Buckhurst Hill last Saturday. An away trip to Benfleet beckons for Leo Connolly's plucky side and we wish them all the best of luck on the road to Wembley.

That said, Hoddesdon will be hoping to put a dent in Connolly's survival hopes, as they go looking for another three points this weekend.

Newbury's league record this season reads Played 7, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 3 with a goal difference of -11. To be fair, they have played three less games than the teams around them and so 18th place may be a bit of a false position for them, but none the less, they will be desperate to haul themselves away from the drop zone. The good news for the Barkingside based team is that their home form is significantly better than it is on their travels. In the league, they have Played 4, Won 2, Drawn 1 and lost just the one game in front of their own fans, a 2-1 defeat to Brimsdown on the 14th of September. They have scored a healthy 13 goals in those four home games, 6 of which came in that previously mentioned thrashing of our local neighbours, St Margaretsbury. They have conceded 8 in those 4 games however, giving Hoddesdon hope that they can continue to bulge the net of their opponents.

It was a tough start to the season for Connolly's men, a 7-0 defeat away at Harlow in the season curtain opener, followed up by a 10-0 mauling at the hands of Hutton, just four days later. There was perhaps the odd groan that could be heard in the distance on Wednesday evening from the Newbury camp, as Hoddesdon announced the signing of Stuart Zanone from Hutton. Zanone bagged a hat trick in that 10-0 win and he will surely be relishing the chance to have another go at the Forest defence. At the time of print, it is unknown if Zanone is available for this fixture for Simon Riddle, or if he will indeed go straight into the side or have to bide his time on the bench. Either way, Connolly, who also acts as club chairman and secretary, will not relish seeing the prolific striker arrive at the Oakside Stadium on Saturday.

He will, however, be buoyed by the improvement in results from those opening two games, with Newbury seemingly shoring up their defence and putting some good performances and results together, especially in the cups. On Tuesday evening they were again victorious, at home to Southend Manor, a 3-2 win largely down to the efforts of Jamal Dzotsi, who bagged himself a brace to ensure all three points. However, Dzotsi isn't the only goal threat for Hoddesdon to worry about as both Roberto Carvalho and Ifeanyi Umeh have already grabbed 5 goals each in this campaign, with Arthur Wright also impressing with 4 goals in 5 games. In fact, our hosts have scored 15 goals in their 7 league games this season, and an average of 2.14 goals a game is not to be sniffed at, at any level. However, the average of 3.71 goals conceded per game will still give Hoddesdon encouragement to get forward and attack, despite the defence appearing to have found their feet in recent weeks.

For Hoddesdon, it will be interesting to see how the team shapes up at the weekend with the possible inclusion of new signings. The afore mentioned Zanone will hopefully provide the Lilywhites with an added goal threat, and the welcome news of goalkeeper Ethan Gannon resigning with the club this week will provide stiff competition for regular stopper, Liam Nugent.

In this fixture last season, Hoddesdon ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.

The hosts came into that game in good form having scored 20 goals in their previous six games, which included wins over league leaders Dunmow Town and title-chasing Harlow Town. The confidence that they had gained from this run was evident in the opening exchanges and, in the 15th minute, they came close to taking the lead with a break up the centre. Liam Nugent advanced from his goal to meet the opponent and did well to get a hand on his attempted lob. It wasn’t enough to stop what appeared to be a certain goal but it was enough to allow Jack Gibbs to get back and clear off the line.

This escape was just the boost that the Lilywhites needed and from this point onwards that took the upper hand and played some delightful football. And it was one such period of link-up play that made for a pass from Callum Bennison to set Connor Bolton free to clinically finish a one-on-one with the keeper to give the Lilywhites a 35th minute lead.

The Lilywhites were good value for their half-time lead but and period of pressure from the hosts generated a number of free-kicks within shooting range and it was from one of these on the hour mark that brought an equaliser; the ball being rifled into the top corner from 25 yards, giving Liam Nugent no chance of a save.

That was it for the Forest because the Lilywhites sprung back into life and for the remainder of the game, they tore the hosts’ defence apart with some incisive attacks. In the 70th minute Connor Bolton broke up the left wing and crossed to beyond the far post where Toby Prentice slammed the ball home to give the Lilywhites the vital second goal. Nine minutes later, Connor Bolton was through on goal again and, as he had done in the first half, he struck the post. This time, however, he gathered the rebound, turned inside a defender and, from the right-hand side of the box, drove the ball into the far top corner of the goal to double his own personal tally and give the Lilywhites a 3-1 advantage.

The Lilywhites were by now well on top and in the final five minutes of normal time that added a fourth and fifth goal. Firstly, George Smith headed home Connor Bolton’s corner from the left and then Jamie Pitt slammed the ball home from the inside-right position following a clever break from Bailey Eden and another cross from Man of the Match that day, Connor Bolton.

All at the club will be hoping for a repeat performance on Saturday but Newbury carry their own threat and this is sure to be a cracking game.

Kick Off is 3pm at the Oakside Stadium and all travelling support is welcome. Entry is £5 Adults and £3 Concessions.

Limited parking is available at the ground, and along the road in front of the stadium. The nearest Station is Barkingside Tube station on the Central Line. On exiting the station, walk down Station Approach. Take the first right at the roundabout, and hold right onto Station Road. It is about a 5 – 10min walk.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL