Derby days are often the most anticipated games of any club's season and this Saturday is no different, as the Lilywhites take on old foe, St Margaretsbury.

Lowfield will be buzzing as the Stanstead Abbotts outfit make the short trip down the A1170 to face Simon Riddle's plucky Lilywhites, in what promises to be a thrilling league encounter. This fixture has a rich history over the years, with both sides frequently finding themselves paired in the same division, whether it was the Spartan League, Essex Senior or the current platform, The Eastern Counties Football League.

However, in the modern day, that's where the similarities end, with the two clubs treading different paths of late in terms of their footballing fortunes.

The club was established in 1894 as Stanstead Abbots. In 1962 the club were renamed St. Margaretsbury after moving to the St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground. In 1992 the club moved up to the Premier Division of the Spartan League. After winning the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy in 1992–93, they were Premier Division runners-up in 1994–95, before winning the league title the following season. When the league merged with the South Midlands League to form the Spartan South Midlands League in 1997, the club were placed in the Premier South Division for a transitional season that ended with a ninth-place finish (enough to secure a place in the Premier Division for the following season) and victory in the final of the Herts Charity Shield.

Prior to the 2018–19 season, due to regional changes imposed by the FA, St. Margaretsbury fell into a different catchment area and were transferred from the Spartan South Midlands League to the Essex Senior League. They finished second-from-bottom of the Essex Senior League in 2021–22 and were relegated to Division One South of the Eastern Counties League.

Last season, Hoddesdon got the better of their opponents on two occasions, winning 4-2 in the league away game and 2-1 in the first game of their successful Herts Senior Centenary Trophy campaign, again at The Recreation Ground. In this particular fixture however, St Mags snatched a point at Lowfield in the 80th minute last year, courtesy of a goal from a player that now plys his trade at Lowfield.

It was a chilly December Saturday at Lowfield and despite four enforced changes to the team from the previous game, the Lilywhites put up a good display and created enough opportunities to win the game comfortably but were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils with neighbours, St Margaretsbury. The Lilywhites started the game very brightly and had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the ninth minute when Danny Acquaye beat his man out on the right flank and delivered a cross into the box that found Dion Laughton at the far post but he failed to make a good contact with the ball and his effort went agonisingly wide. The Lilywhites spent the rest of the half on top but they had difficulty breaking down a resilient visiting defence. Half-chances were created – the best of which fell to Connor Bolton – but on both occasions the keeper was able to make a save.

The second half began in a similar style to the first which much of the play lacking any real rhythm, largely because of the difficult playing conditions. The Lilywhites still looked the more likely to score, though, and Jack Gibbs went close with a glancing header from a Narcis Filipe free kick. The breakthrough came half-way through the half, and it came with a stunning 25-yard strike from Harrison Cage, who had earlier come on as a substitute and immediately livened up proceedings. Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, Harrison advanced a few yards and unleashed a fierce shot that hit the underside of and came down behind the beaten keeper.

This goal had a positive effect on the Lilywhites and they should have doubled their lead only four minutes later when Narcis Filipe crossed into the six-yard area but Dion Laughton was unable to convert a very good chance. And then, in the 76th minute, Dion broke free of the visitors’ back line and was through one-on-one with the keeper but a heavy touch allowed the keeper to save at his feet.

Up to this point the visitors were offering very little by way of a threat but, with the Lilywhites sinking deeper, the visitors took advantage by grabbing an unexpected equaliser. Current Hoddesdon attackin midfielder, Connor Casey, latched onto a through-ball and lobbed Liam Nugent as he advanced from his goal. Who knew that just a couple of months later, Casey would be wearing the Lilywhite shirt and spearheading the Hoddesdon attack in future games!!??

The disappointment of conceding an equaliser was almost made worse when St Mags were shortly after presented with a chance to take all three points but, fortunately for the Lilywhites, Liam Nugent mad a good save and the game played out to a draw. Man-of-the Match that day was Bailey Eden

And so to this season.

It is apparent that our visitors have had a very tough start to the new campaign. They currently sit bottom of the Thurlow Nunn Division One South, but a 2-1 win at home to Basildon Town last time out will do much to boost confidence heading into this crucial match. Manager Gavin Wood, flanked by assistants Ryan Jessey and former Lilywhite hard man, Terry Gritton (affectionately known as 'Terry Two Foot' in the Hoddesdon dressing room...!!), will look to use that performance to inspire the dressing room to another important three points in the hunt for survival. Our opponents did indeed finish in a relegation place last season but were reprieved from the trap door during the summer, a situation that many of us at Hoddesdon Town were very happy to see, to ensure this fixture could continue this season, and hopefully, many more.

From their 15 league games this season, The 'Bury Boys have ten points having won 3, drawn 1, lost 11, scored 15, conceded 42 and a goal difference of -27. They are yet to win an away game this season, with 7 losses and 1 draw on their travels, scoring 7 and conceding 32, an average of 4 goals leaked per game. Hoddesdon will have to be on their guard however, as it was only a couple of weeks ago that they lost heavily at home to lower ranked opposition, a disappointing 4-1 defeat to FC Baresi at Lowfield. Nothing is guaranteed in football and the old adage that 'form goes out the window' in a derby, is always lurking in the background.

Striker Elijah Grant has the ability to inflict damage on the Hoddesdon team this weekend. Despite the teams poor form this season, the forward has an impressive 10 goals in 16 games, belying the clubs league position and the tricky number 9 will surely be looking to add to his tally in a red hot derby. Captain Alfie Campbell is another player in the ranks that can be relied upon to drag his team through 90 minutes and gives 100% to The Saints at all times. He has worn the armband on 15 occasions this season.

Hoddesdon themselves will still be on cloud nine after their impressive 2-1 home win against AS London on Saturday. The much fancied visitors were sent packing by captain Jack Gibbs and his team, putting up a robust defence to keep out their wave of attacks, with Bailey Eden proving to be the match winner in the 88th minute, climbing off the bench just seven minutes earlier. That win solidified 9th place and kept the team in the hunt for a play off place. A win this weekend 'could' move them up to 8th if results go their way, putting them within touching distance of 4th placed Cannon's Wood, with games in hand. Hoddesdon do however have two home defeats on their record this season and will have to guard against complacency as the bottom team come to town.

Connor Bolton once again leads the way in the goal tables, his 34th minute opening goal on Saturday moving him above Ben Clarke in the mission to retain his Golden Boot trophy from last season.

In team news, manager Simon Riddle said last week 'Fayme, our Sports Therapist, is working hard to get our injured players back on the pitch as soon as possible. I am pleased to say that we have got some players back in training, all at different levels. Liam Nugent and Harrison Cage are back in full training with the squad, and should be pushing for a squad place soon. Connor Casey is having is training separately with me, to check out his fitness, before he joins the rest of the squad. Dillon Lee is training on his own, and his shoulder is still causing him concern. I am pleased to say that we have got through the last two matches without any other major concerns..'

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. Enjoy the game.

#COYL