The week in the Eastern Counties League's First Division South was shaped by Hoddesdon Town, who went into it top of the table and unbeaten in all competitions, and spent it facing two of their closest rivals at the top of the table.
The first came on Saturday 19 September, when May & Baker EC arrived at Lowfield with a perfect league record. May & Baker EC took the lead after around 78 minutes, an own goal from Jack Orchard as he tried to clear a cross over the bar. Deep into stoppage time, Connor Casey, who had come on in the first half for the injured Jimmy Agnew, lifted the ball over the keeper after a block to make it 1-1. Hoddesdon named Blesson Asekolenga their Man of the Match, and May & Baker EC said their unbeaten league run continues.
There was little time to dwell on it. On Tuesday, Hoddesdon Town beat Hertford Heath 3-0 in the League Challenge Cup, a tie that had been abandoned on 25 August at 1-1 when Casey needed hospital treatment. Freddie Wilkinson scored twice, heading in an early corner and tapping in after a Jack Gibbs flick, and Brandon Oxley-Fricker added a third in stoppage time. Hertford Heath had a man sent off in the 73rd minute and said on the night that they were "not good enough". The draw sends Hoddesdon into a home tie against May & Baker EC in the next round.
On Saturday, Hoddesdon Town travel to Brimsdown, who are playing home games at Aveley's Parkside ground. According to the club, Hoddesdon lead with 20 points from eight league games, while Brimsdown are still looking for their first league point. Manager Simon Riddle said: "The table is there for everyone to see, but it won't score a goal for us on Saturday."
Elsewhere, Southend Manor beat London Fennecs 5-0, with William Bernier and David Komolafe each scoring twice and Ashton Owen also on the scoresheet. Manager Aaron Bloxham called it "a long time coming". Rayleigh Town won 1-0 at Dunmow Town through Nathan Elgie's 51st-minute goal, and Basildon Town won 1-0 against Athletic Newham.
In the League Challenge Cup, Cannons Wood drew 2-2 with Wivenhoe Town and lost 4-3 on penalties. Halesworth Town beat Thetford Town 2-1 through Toby Payne and Henry Caplin, and Holland lost 0-3 to Brantham Athletic on an evening they dedicated to the memory of Noah Woods.