MEET THE OPPOSITION | HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN
Oxford City make the trip to Vauxhall Road on Saturday for what is sure to be a testing clash against mid-table side Hemel Hempstead Town. Ahead of the weekend’s fixture, we take a look at the Hoops’ latest opponents.
History:
Hemel Hempstead Town, established initially as Apsley End in 1885, have plied their trade in the National League South for the past eight seasons, with the club’s best term so far coming in 2017/18. A fifth-place finish saw them reach the play-offs after a successful season, but penalty shootout heartbreak in the qualifying round meant that Braintree Town ultimately advanced in their place.
The Tudors, nicknamed as such due to the town’s historical association with King Henry VIII, have experienced varied success at non-league level, and won promotion to the Conference South in 2014 with an impressive title-winning campaign.
A season later, Hemel Hempstead reached the FA Cup first round proper where, after an early goal saw them take the lead, they eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of League Two Bury.
In each of the seasons since, Hemel have only managed to find mid-table stability in the National League South, with 16th, 11th and 15th-placed finishes.
Current Form:
Since the turn of the year, Hemel have been in relatively strong form, winning six and falling to defeat three times. The Tudors put together an admirable six-game unbeaten run that started in mid-January, but eventually came to an end with a 3-0 loss at Hungerford Town on February 18th.
Nonetheless, Hemel bounced back in fine fashion, taking seven points from their following three matches, including a comfortable 2-0 home victory over the Hoops’ promotion-chasing rivals Havant and Waterlooville.
Brad Quinton’s side currently sit 13th in the National League South with 49 points, and return to home soil after two consecutive away games in the space of a week. Kicking off March, Hemel picked up a very creditable point and clean sheet at league leaders Ebbsfleet United, before a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Bath City - in what was a 12th vs 13th clash.
Meet the gaffer: Brad Quinton
Appointed at the end of December, Brad Quinton took the role as first team manager after fleeting spells in charge at fellow VNSL sides Welling United and Braintree Town. After a playing career spanning almost 20 years, Quinton hung up his boots at Enfield Town before making the move into management.
The 44-year-old arrived at Vauxhall Road with fond memories of the National League South, having guided Braintree Town to promotion via the play-offs in 2017-18.
Quinton is supported at Hemel by a backroom team made up of Mahrez Bettache, Matt Lawrence, Errol Hassan, Barry Bolton and Rob Lawrence, all of whom he has previously worked with.
Since his appointment, Quinton has overseen six wins from 13 games, in what has been an evident upturn in form for The Tudors.
Club Captain: Godfrey Poku
Former Hoops midfielder Godrey Poku has captained Hemel since his arrival in the summer of 2022, a move which saw him reunite with former City manager Mark Jones.
Poku, 32, has substantial playing experience, and began his career with St Albans City FC. After trials with Reading, Leyton Orient and Southend United, it was Luton Town who made the move to bring in Poku - on a free transfer - in January 2010.
The midfielder has since turned out for Mansfield Town, Woking, Havant and Waterlooville, Wealdstone, and of course Oxford City, where he made 79 appearances from 2016 to 2018.
Poku has featured in the majority of Hemel’s VNSL matches so far this season - making 29 appearances - but has fallen somewhat out of favour under new boss Brad Quinton, with starts becoming less frequent.
Key Player: Josh Castiglione
Arguably Hemel’s most dangerous player, right-midfielder Josh Castiglione will certainly be one for City to monitor on Saturday. The 23-year-old has so far notched seven goals and six assists for The Tudors this season, underlining his evident productivity.
Prior to joining Hemel Hempstead, Castiglione had played a handful of games for Southern League outfit Royston Town. Castiglione found form - and consistent playing time - after his move to Hemel, and has been one of the club’s success stories this season.
Hemel’s goals this term have come from an array of different players, with scoring shared throughout the team, but Castiglione’s record speaks for itself, and the opposition winger will no doubt have his eye on adding to his tally this weekend.
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