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Hoddesdon return to action this weekend following their last gasp win away at FC Baresi last Saturday.
The win over at Wodson Park was a breathtaking encounter with the Lilywhites snatching the three points at the death as they continue in their search for a playoff place. It leaves them well placed in seventh, just outside of the playoff places and still in the hunt. Connor Boltons 96th minute winner sent the travelling fans wild and cemented his place at the top of the Lilywhite goalscoring charts with six for the season.
These two teams met early on in the season and on that occasion, Hoddesdon were convincing winners.
Under the splendid views of St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden, Hoddesdon Town took all three points on a warm summers evening, to make it two in two for the new season. Hoddesdon, in the end, were well worth the three points, but the opening 45 minutes saw them go 1-0 down and wondering whether it was going to be their night.
There were a couple of changes to the side that started against Coggeshall at the weekend, including Jonah Evans being given his first start since rejoining the club. Goalscorer Callum Bennison wasn't in the match day squad either so new signing Dillon Lee took his place on the bench. Defensive pairing Jack Gibbs and Jack Riddle are still yet to start a game, with the former serving a ban and the latter named on the bench, so it was again Collins, Agnew and Richards that completed the defensive shape. New signings Kai Butler and Lawrence Healey were also alongside the squad and getting their first taste of the first team dressing room. Connor Bolton wore the armband for the second time this season.
Hoddesdon had chances a plenty to be ahead at the break but a failure to pull the trigger in key areas meant they were unable to penetrate the hosts goal. Dunmow lost two players to injury, Adjarho and Abana, on the 20 minute mark and were forced into early changes. With the evening temperature still in the mid 20s, the referee called for a drinks break on the 25 minute mark and the players were glad to take on some fluid, as well as advice from the management team. Unfortunately, in the 39th minute, against the run of play, Dunmow's Darnell Fuller opened the scoring with a deflected effort that left Nugent helpless and Hoddesdon trailing at the break.
Manager Simon Riddle, according to the players at full time, gave the team a 'rollocking' during the break and sent them back out to go and rescue what had otherwise been a fairly good performance. It took the lads just ten minutes to find their stride and they were back on level terms on 55 minutes, Jimmy Agnew poking in at the back post from a well delivered free kick by Blue Gallagher. At this point, a triple substitution was made, with the management team sensing blood. Eden, Collins and Richards were replaced with Lee, Krutko and Riddle, and the gamble paid off.
Just seven minutes later and Hoddesdon were deservedly in front. Connor Casey turned in another quality set piece from Blue Gallagher, grabbing his second goal of the season and sending the travelling fans into raptures in the 62nd minute. But the lads weren't done there. Skipper Connor Bolton set Conner Casey free with a delightful pass and he finished with aplomb, to put the icing on a superb opening 20 minutes of the second half, to make it 1-3, and snatching his second goal of the game and his third of the season.
With 25 minutes still to play, Hoddesdon still had work to do and gaffer Simon Riddle rang the changes to protect the lead. On 78 minutes Riddle made a double substitution, replacing Cross and goalscorer Casey, with with Clarke and Barker.
There were one or two nervy moments for Hoddesdon, with Dunmow hitting the post late on and some sloppy free kicks given away around the Lilywhite box, but ultimately, our opponents were wasteful with their opportunities and tired legs were beginning to show. Jack Riddle in particular was putting in his normal no nonsense performance, eating up anything that came his way and relieving the pressure at the back.
In the closing stages, Nazarii Krutko received a yellow card but that was about as hairy as it got for Hoddesdon, with Dunmow realising the game was up.
Man of the Match that day was Blue Gallagher. Blue unfortunately has an ankle injury and will likely not feature this weekend but Simon has good options to call upon across his squad and people able to step up and fill the void.
Dumow Town have switched grounds again this season, and find themselves plying their trade at the home of Saffron Walden Town FC. Manager Richard Ponsford will be disappointed with his side's last outing, a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Brimsdown, and he will be looking for a reaction and a springboard to begin lifting them up the table from 10th place. The former Ilford boss joined the club in the summer after Simon Noakes left, following their unsuccessful attempt to win the division playoff final. It was ultimately heartbreak for the Essex based outfit, losing out to Wormley Rovers, who now play at Step 5 in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division.
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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.
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