MATCH PREVIEW: HODDESDON TOWN

For the first time in almost ten days, Enfield return to action in the Essex Senior League as they welcome Hoddesdon Town to the R&D Advisors Stadium. Having gone five matches without a win, the E’s are in desperate need of a win to help kickstart their season.

Current form (all competitions)

Enfield: L D L L D

Previous result: 1-2 vs Clacton (ESL)

Hoddesdon: W L L W W

Previous result: 4-3 vs Woodford Town (FA Vase)

Opposition: Hoddesdon Town

Enfield’s opponents on Saturday come in the form of Hoddesdon Town. The Hertfordshire outfit have had a tough start to the 21/22 season and ahead of this weekend’s fixtures sit 18th in the table.

The Lilywhites have so far picked up two wins and a draw to leave them on seven points in the league. Their two victories both came away from home against Clacton and Ilford, winning 1-0 and 3-1 respectively.

However, it is in the FA Vase that have managed to be more successful in, making it through two rounds to reach the first round proper. Hoddesdon defeated Clacton 5-2 as well as Woodford Town 4-3 to get to that stage.

Scoring goals hasn’t been an issue for Hoddesdon of late with their total sitting at 18 though having conceded 21, it’s understandable as to where their issues have lied. Hoddesdon will no doubt be looking for a win over the E’s to help push themselves up the table.

Players to watch:

Enfield: Dwade James

Heading into this game, one man to watch for Enfield is none other than Dwade James. The striker has been of huge importance to Jamie Cureton’s side this season having netted six goals in all competitions. James played a vital part in Enfield’s FA Cup run and in their most recent match, found the back of the net though it only proved a consolation. Will he add to his impressive goalscoring tally this game?

Hoddesdon: Narcis Filip

Meanwhile, for the opposition, Narcis Filip is the one to look out for within the Hoddesdon camp. Filip is the Lilywhites’ top scorer this season with six goals in just eight matches. His brace last week against Woodford helped his side reach the next round of the Vase while he was also key to getting Hoddesdon’s second league win of the season against Ilford. Can Filip make the impact needed against the E’s?

Previous meeting: Enfield 1-0 Hoddesdon, 12th December 2020

The last time that Enfield faced Hoddesdon was back in December 2020, which was almost ten months ago. Having returned to action following a month long second national lockdown, the E’s played their first home game since the return against the Lilywhites.

Following a close encounter between the two sides, Enfield ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Alex Warman’s winner in the 81st minute. It proved to be the penultimate game of the 20/21 season for the E’s before the campaign was suspended a week later. The starting line-up fielded that day involved eight players that are currently playing for the club at this moment in time.

The E’s starting eleven that day: Sam Soutar, Michael Mullings, Toby Barlow, Alex Warman, Vinny Murphy, Jack Johnson, Isaac Stevens, Reece Conway (captain), Olly Miles, Joseph Boachie, Louie Johnson.