Essex Senior League, Monday 26th October 2020
Monday night only means one thing, a trip to the Len Salmon
to watch an Essex Senior League contest, and on this occasion, it was Hashtag
United hosting Hoddesdon Town, and it saw a 94th minute header from
Ryan O’Rawe net the points for the hosts to send them eight clear at the top.
The Tags had dropped their first points at home this season
at the weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw by a young talented Southend
Manor side, but they remained five clear at the top after Cockfosters and
Stansted also drew 1-1 at Hargrave Park.
The hosts last four games had all been tough and at times
very close indeed, but they had still won three of them and showed they can
battle through games when it might not always be going there way, a sure sign
of champion, although this would also prove to be a tough contest for sure
against a tough outfit in Hoddesdon Town.
The Lilywhites would go second with a win here and were
looking to build on their 2-0 success at Sawbridgeworth Town at the weekend, a
good bounce back after losing 4-0 at home to Saffron Walden Town the weekend
before that, but they knew this would be a much tougher assignment here then at
Crofters, so needed to bring their ‘A’ game that was for sure.
The Tags had netted on average two goals a game in their
last four contests and were very solid defensively too having only let in two
goals in that time, despite not being at their best, which says quite a
lot!!!
Hoddy themselves had also netted on average two goals per
game in their last four, although their defensive record wasn’t quite as good
as the hosts, letting in seven in those four games although four came in that
one game against Walden, so maybe that was just a blip in recent times perhaps.
Hashtag were the leading scorers in the division
unsurprisingly although the visitors were not far behind them so both sides
could score goals, something that Hoddy had struggled with in recent seasons,
although defensively this year they were not as good so maybe The Tags could
take advantage of that??? We were about
to find out…
Well initially it seemed like the hosts were up for making
this an easier night as they began on the front foot and saw the dangerous
Joshua Osude burst in down the right but see his effort well saved, and then
Jesse Waller Lassen thumped a decent effort just wide of the post, all inside
the opening fifteen minutes as the hosts were definitely the better side early
on.
The Tags continued to create openings as the half went on
but failed to find the net, although Hoddesdon had by now at least given their
defence some rest at times by venturing forward themselves, firing one across
goal and seeing two other long range effort rifled off target, and also fired
another effort from outside the box go straight at Anthony Page.
The Tags though defo edged a tightish first period and most
certainly had the better of the openings, but they and the visitors were locked
together at 0-0 when the half time whistle went, meaning both would have plenty
to discuss in the changing rooms at the break.
Half Time Hashtag United 0 Hoddesdon Town 0
So how would the second half pan out, it was certainly an intriguing
question…and after Hoddy had sent another effort off target, Hashtag missed two
good chances in the space of three minutes inside the first ten minutes of the
half as there shooting boots continued to be left elsewhere.
Firstly Waller Lassen almost found the far corner but it was
deflected just wide of the far stick, and then moments later a cut back found
George Smith but the normally composed striker could only send his effort way
over the bar, slamming into the roof of the stand behind that goal.
After this initial burst of attacking play from the hosts
though the game settled into a tense and tight second period, and for a time it
was Hoddesdon who looked like they could sneak in front, and they so nearly did
with twenty minutes remaining after a glancing header towards the far corner
was superbly clawed around the post by Page, as this game was right on a knife
edge.
As the game got closer to the end though Hoddesdon began to
try and hold onto what they had, and The Tags were trying their hardest to
break through what had been a solid tough visiting back line, and with seven
minutes left saw Albert Keith curl just wide after Kiernan Hughes Mason had laid
it off to him, and when Ross Gleed curled a free kick beyond the far post, you
felt it wasn’t going to be the hosts night and Hoddesdon had grabbed a very
well earned point and see the home side drop more points at home.
But, this is Hashtag United, the team that seem to find a
way to win, and in the 94th minute a lovely ball curled into the six
yard box saw O’Rawe get his head on the ball and divert beyond the keeper into
the net and send them and the home fans wild, it had been another tough night
for the hosts but they had found a way to grab the points once again, a sign of
champions for sure that.
Tough on Hoddesdon this though who more than matched their
opponents, especially second half, but they end up leaving empty handed after
such a late late blow, but they can hold their heads up high after such a
gritty and tough performance against the league leaders.
It does mean The Tags are now eight points clear at the top
ahead of the remaining midweek games, whilst Hoddesdon remain in fifth spot.
Full Time Hashtag United 1 Hoddesdon Town 0
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