Match Preview: Hemel Hempstead (A) - 14th March 2026

Photo courtesy of Fin Hall

By Josh Cole

The Stags hit the road again at the weekend for another away day, this time we’re off to Hemel Hempstead for matchday #36!

Last time out The Stags were beaten against Weston-super-Mare away from home. CLICK HERE to read the match report.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Tudors are currently sitting in 6^th place in the ENLS on 61 points from 36 games played. CLICK HERE to view the full league table.

Hemel had a fantastic start to the season. In the first three months, they lost just two games one against Dagenham & Redbridge in August and the second one against AFC Totton in October. The rest of the fixtures saw ten wins and five draws. During this period as well, Hemel Hempstead progressed into the first round proper of the FA Cup.

On the 1^st of November, they travelled to Wigan Athletic for the first round tie in the FA Cup and gave them a great game, only falling short on penalties against EFL League one opposition. For the rest of the month, again there was mostly wins and draws, with just one loss away at Worthing in the league. There were five wins, including one in the FA Trophy 2^nd round on penalties and one draw in November.

However, their form took a massive dip in December, as they won just won game, going on a four-game losing streak and a six-game winless run which saw the fall away from the top of the table and also knocked out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Horsham. They did manage to end December with a win against Enfield Town in the league.

This was badly needed momentum for Hemel Hempstead as they headed into 2026 and January was a much better month than December. Although there were three losses in the month, they did also manage three wins and two of them came at the start of the month against Dagenham and Dover.

February was another tough month with just two wins, both 1-0 against Worthing and Tonbridge. Their other results saw a draw against Ebbsfleet away and three losses against Hampton & Richmond at home and Horsham & Chelmsford away.

Coming into this game, Hemel have won their last three matches, one of those was that Tonbridge match and the other two have come in March against two teams struggling down the bottom of the table in Farnborough and Chippenham.

LAST FIVE: HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

Vs Chippenham Town | Home | ENLS | Won 3-2

Goalscorers: Isiah Noel-Williams 40’, George Williams 54’, & Jake Gray 90+2’

Vs Farnborough | Away | ENLS | Won 2-3

Goalscorers: Mauro Vilhete 27’, Remaye Campbell 45+1’, & Darion Dowrich 54’

Vs Tonbridge Angels | Home | ENLS | Won 1-0

Goalscorer: Darion Dowrich 90+6’

Vs Chelmsford City | Away | ENLS | Lost 1-0

Vs Horsham | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-0

LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON

Vs Weston-super-Mare | Away | ENLS | Lost 1-0

Vs Horsham | Home | ENLS | Won 3-0

Goalscorers: Dec Rose 50’, Malachi Linton 63’ & Jaiden Bartolo 68’

Vs Maidenhead United | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-0

Vs Dagenham & Redbridge | Away | ENLS | Won 0-2

Goalscorers: Ash Clarke 30’ & Tyler Cordner 43’

Vs Slough Town | Home | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Christie Ward 39’

COMPARING THE STATS (all comps)

MY OPPOSITION PLAYERS TO WATCH:

DEFENCE: Charlie Rowan

The 27-year-old London-born defender began his career in the academy at Watford and developed a reputation as a calm, ball-playing centre-half. His early promise earned him a loan move to Accrington Stanley in League Two, giving him valuable exposure to senior football before moving on to continue his development in the non-league ranks.

After leaving Watford, Rowan spent time with clubs including Oxford City, Barnet, and Ebbsfleet United, gaining experience across various levels of English football. He later became a consistent performer for Weymouth, where his aerial strength and defensive leadership were key, before joining Hemel Hempstead Town in July 2025.

Rowan’s style is built on physical dominance and intelligent positioning. Strong in the air and composed in possession, he’s equally comfortable clearing his lines or starting attacks from deep. While his no-nonsense defending occasionally leads to bookings, his leadership and reading of the game make him a vital figure for Hemel.

MIDFIELD: JAKE GRAY

Jake Gray is an experienced midfielder who joined Hemel Hempstead Town in July 2025, bringing with him extensive experience from both the English Football League and National League South. A versatile and energetic player, Gray is capable of operating centrally or in wider midfield positions.

Gray began his career in the youth systems at Wycombe Wanderers before joining Crystal Palace as a teenager. He progressed through the Eagles’ academy and gained early senior experience through loan spells with Cheltenham Town and Hartlepool United. During his time with Hartlepool in the 2015/16 season, he made 29 league appearances and scored five goals, quickly establishing himself as a regular in League Two football.

In 2016, Gray signed permanently for Luton Town, where he featured regularly during the 2016/17 campaign before moving on to Yeovil Town. Over two seasons with the Glovers he made over 50 league appearances, continuing to build his reputation as a hard-working and technically capable midfielder in the EFL.

Gray later moved into non-league football with Woking before joining Hampton & Richmond Borough, initially on loan in 2019 before making the move permanent the following year. During his five-year spell with the Beavers he became a key figure in the side, making close to 200 appearances and being named the club’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2023.

After establishing himself as one of the most consistent midfielders in the National League South, Gray made the move to Hemel Hempstead Town ahead of the 2025/26 season, adding significant experience and versatility to the Tudors’ midfield options.

Known for his work rate, versatility and attacking contributions from midfield, Gray has amassed over 300 senior appearances across his career spanning the EFL and non-league pyramid, making him one of the more experienced midfielders at step two of the English game.

ATTACK: OLI DAVIS

Oli Davis is a young forward who joined Hemel Hempstead Town during the 2025/26 season, continuing his development after progressing through the academy system at Ipswich Town. A versatile attacker capable of playing as a centre forward or wide forward, Davis is known for his movement, energy and eye for goal.

Davis spent his formative years in the Ipswich Town academy, having been with the club from a young age and progressing through the youth ranks. During the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, he featured regularly for the club’s Under-18 side and also gained experience with the Under-21s, developing his attacking game in a professional academy environment.

In February 2025, Davis gained his first experience of senior football when he joined St Albans City on loan in the National League South, where he began his introduction to the men’s game while still a teenager.

Following his departure from Ipswich in the summer of 2025, Davis moved into senior non-league football full-time and spent spells with Braintree Town and Enfield Town, gaining valuable experience and minutes at step two of the English pyramid. Whilst playing at Enfield, Davis scored a great free-kick at the Snows Stadium to open the scoring that day.

He later joined Hemel Hempstead Town during the 2025/26 campaign, adding youthful attacking options to the squad. At just 19 years old, Davis represents one of the club’s developing prospects, bringing pace, work rate and attacking versatility to the forward line as he continues to gain experience in senior football.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee - Harry Jones

Assistant Referee 1 - Laurentiu Hantea

Assistant Referee 2 - Shaun Barry

Fourth Official - Michael Smith

GO STAGS