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Hoddesdon Town FC vs Barkingside FC: High Stakes Clash at Lowfield This Saturday

Hoddesdon Town FC will look to get back on track this Saturday, October 19th, when they take on a struggling Barkingside FC at Lowfield. The Lilywhites, currently sitting in 9th place, are eager to put behind them a 4-1 midweek defeat at the hands of FC Baresi and return to winning ways in front of their home supporters.

Hoddesdon manager Simon Riddle will be calling for a response, knowing his side has the firepower to threaten Barkingside’s vulnerable defence, particularly with goal-getter Stuart Zanone up front. However, the defence will need to step up after a poor showing last time out, where Hoddesdon's backline was uncharacteristically shaky.

Barkingside, on the other hand, are in dire need of a win. Having lost all of their last eight matches in row, their last victory came back on August 24th, a 2-0 triumph away at Burnham Ramblers. Their league record makes grim reading: played 13, won 2, drawn 4, and lost 7, with a goal difference of -12. Sitting just one place above the relegation zone, Barkingside will be fighting tooth and nail to reverse their fortunes and pull away from the looming drop.

The two sides have already met once this season, playing out a 1-1 draw on the 16th of August.

A journey deep into East London saw Hoddesdon earn a point, which they nearly lost in the 88th minute but fortunately the penalty hit the post and rebounded into play. Hoddesdon actually just about deserved the points from this game, but just couldn’t clinch the deciding goal and the three points, so credit must be given to the hosts.

Ten minutes in and Hoddesdon hit the crossbar, all be it from a Barkingside defender attempting a headed clearance from a corner, the ball looping to the back post and bouncing off the bar.

Barkingside were dealt a blow on 15 minutes, losing their influential captain Harry baker to injury, being replaced by Jayden Tshimanga.

On 22 minutes, Nugent was called into action, mopping up from a Barkingside corner. Despite this, the Lilywhites were enjoying the lions share of possession, a period that saw Barkingside's Thompson and Nathaniel go into the referees book for heavy challenges. Just before half time, Hoddesdon had good opportunities to open the scoring, Bolton heading over the bar when he could and should have scored, followed by Ben Clarke shooting over the bar after a Barkingside muddle in defence. Hoddesdon really had dominated the opening 45 minutes but went to the dressing room empty handed.

The second half saw Barkingside come into the game more and in the 57th minute, they took the lead. Hoddesdon didn’t clear the ball and Jaeden Nathaniel from outside the box on the left, managed to capitalise, sweeping the ball home across Liam Nugent's goal for a good finish.

A quarter of an hour later, Hoddesdon scored a deserved equaliser on 71 minutes. Ben Clarke pulled the trigger upon receiving the ball after some great work from Connor Bolton. The effort was on target but likely being collected by the Barkingside goal keeper. Enter Jonah Evans, who made his way across the path of the ball and, with a clever back heel flick, diverted the ball into the opposite side of the goal, completely fooling the keeper.

You can watch the goal HERE.

Having got themselves back on an even keel, full time was approaching, and whilst Hoddesdon will have felt they deserved more from the game, the feeling in the stands was 'take a point, go again'.

That all changed in the 88th minute.

Barkingside penetrated the Hoddesdon defence and found themselves driving into the box. Goalscorer Evans was adjudged to have been too heavy handed with his challenge on subsitute Obi Okafor, and the referee pointed to the spot. There was disbelief from the Lilywhites faithful, seemingly surrendering a hard fought point in the dying moments of the game. Okafor picked himself up off the floor and took the ball in his hands to take the penalty that he had just won for his team. However, luck would be on their side and whilst Nugent dived the correct way and was very close to getting a hand to the effort, the ball struck the base of the left upright and flew to safety.

There was relief amongst players and supporters as the rest of the game played out to a stalemate.

Both teams are in desperate need of points for very different reasons. Can Hoddesdon recover from their midweek setback and keep pace in the top half of the table, or will Barkingside finally break their losing streak and claim a vital win? It all comes down to Saturday's 3PM kick-off at Lowfield, where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

We will be showing Tottenham V West Ham on our jumbo screens prior to the game, which kicks off at 12:30pm, followed by Bournemouth v Arsenal at 5:30pm.

You can take advantage of great discounts at the bar, when you sign up to the Lowfield 365 Social Membership.

Click HERE to get yours now, or you can purchase directly at the club. Card holders will see their drink prices reduced dramatically, whilst also being able to utilise discounts in and around town, via our sponsors and partners. Click HERE for full details, terms and conditions apply.

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.

Don't forget, our Under 17 Reds will also be at Lowfield this weekend as they host Potters Bar Crusaders U18s on Sunday in a midday kick off.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL