In an action packed weekend at Lowfield, there is just the small matter of the first team hosting league leaders Hackney Wick in a 3pm kick off, and everyone is invited.

There is something to enjoy at Lowfield every day this weekend, kicking off with Friday Night Football as OIR FC take on Hertford Heath in a 7:45pm kick. You can find out more about that by clicking HERE.

On Sunday, two of our youth teams are also in action at 10am and 12:30pm as they host Knebworth U17 Lions and Tigers, as junior football once again heads to the forefront of our agenda.

But before that, high flying Hackney Wick will provide a stern test for Simon Riddle and his young side as they come to town for a 3pm kick off on Saturday.

Last time out, the Lilywhites registered an impressive 3-0 win at home to Barkingside, lifting them up the table and putting them firmly back in the play off race. Another three points this weekend will cement that ambition but be in no doubt, they face a real battle against the league leaders.

Hackney Wick underlined their credentials last Saturday as they beat fellow title contenders Harlow Town 2-1, away from home, in front of a huge crowd. Player of the match Leo Pola was instrumental, providing a sublime through ball for John Silva to slot home the opener. Hackney wasted further opportunities through Pola, Issa Sidibie, and Nixon, with Pola rattling the post when clean through on goal. Pola's brilliance continued as he picked up the ball from halfway, interchanged passes with Adam Cheneti, took on three defenders, and smashed a stunning shot into the top corner to make it 2-0 at halftime. Harlow responded in the second half, pulling a goal back with a free-kick, but Hackney remained resilient. Silva struck the post again for Hackney, but they held on for a crucial win. Watch all the action from that game HERE.

They then followed that win up with another brilliant performance, this time putting SIX past Basildon Town in a 6-4 triumph this past Wednesday evening. You can watch all TEN goals from that game by clicking HERE.

It has been a brilliant start to the season for Witham based side, who ply their trade at the Simarco Stadium. Manager Ernest Eghan and his assistant Neil Thompson will be buoyed by their excellent start and will firmly have an eye on not just promotion, but the league title itself. A record of 12 wins, 3 draws and just 2 losses across 17 games, including 39 goals scored and 19 against, is a firm indication that this season, they mean business. An 8th place finish last season, just 5 points above Hoddesdon, did nothing to indicate a title tilt this season but their displays so far have been excellent and now they rightly sit atop of the Thurlow Nunn Division One South.

In the same fixture last season, Hoddesdon ran out impressive winners in a tight 1-0 win at Lowfield.

From the start the Lilywhites showed they meant business and they immediately penned the visitors back in their own half. Early pressure saw Blue Gallagher force a good save out of the keeper and then, shortly after, the Lilywhites were very nearly awarded a penalty. The referee gave it but was forced to change his mind when his assistant indicated that the foul had taken place just outside the box. The resulting free kick was unfortunately wasted.

Another very good opportunity was created in the 22nd minute but Conor Bolton shot wide from a good position after having been set up by Callum Bennison. At this stage the Lilywhites were dominating the midfield and the visitors were forced into relying on long balls out of defence.

Further chances fell to the Lilywhites with a goal-mouth scramble in the 32nd minute somehow staying out of the goal and a 41st minute shot from Callum Bennison going narrowly wide of the target from 20 yards. A glorious opportunity fell to Blue Gallagher at the back post from a corner in added time but his header glanced wide of the post. And there was still time left in the half for Bailey Eden to hit the inside of the far post from just inside the box but, unfortunately, the ball was scrambled away to safety.

With the game still without a goal, the result was still very much in the balance. The Lilywhites needed to maintain their momentum from the first half and, with the help of some positive substitutions, they did so. They continued to look the most threatening and they finally got their reward in the 69th minute when Dion Laughton finished off good approach play involving new recruit, Kyle Roberts, and Conor Bolton.

The visitors rallied but without any serious threat and the Lilywhites ran out as deserved winners, with Captain Jack Gibbs being awarded the coveted Greene King Man of the Match Award on that occasion.

Leonardo Pola Lopete represents the visitors biggest threat, with 10 goals in 17 appearances for his side. Nixon Soglo isn't far behind with 8 goals in 15 and so they have plenty of firepower going forward. Captain Piotr Maslowski will be charged with leading his team into battle, as they go looking for another three points to solidify their title aspirations.

Hoddesdon will be well up for this battle though, and they do have a defence coming off the back of an excellent clean sheet last time out. Twelve different goal scorers have found the net for Hoddesdon this season, with Ben Clarke heading up the clubs own goalscoring charts with 4 goals in 9 starts. A settled squad has been key to Hoddesdon's success so far this season and the defence in particular, marshalled by skipper Gibbs, has taken many plaudits already this season. Players like Riddle, Agnew, Gibbs, Evans, Krutko, Barker, Collins and Lee have acquitted themselves well so far and will have to be at their best to shut out the visitors this Saturday. Ethan Gannon has performed well in goal too and his defence will certainly be confident with the stopper in fine form.

Hoddesdon do have no less than FIVE games in hand over the league leaders, and will look to make an inroad into their 18 point lead when the whistle blows on Saturday.

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 5:30pm Premier League game, Everton v Fulham, on the big screens. This will be followed by our club Quiz Night, which you are all invited to and more details on that can be found by clicking HERE.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL