Hornchurch 1 Great Wakering Rovers 0

[Urchins]

A reasonably comfortable passage into the semi-final of the Essex Thamesside Trophy after this win, but more importantly a chance for Mick Marsden to give one or two players returning from injury.

 

The game was played in good spirit by both sets of players although the first half was more or less devoid of any goalmouth action.

 

The second half was a different story and for the first 20 minutes the majority of the action took place in the Great Wakering half. A firm header from Jon Bates in the 48th minute was well held by keeper Paul Horwood and a minute later a corner floated into a crowd of players ended with a Steve Jones effort which hit the underside of the bar and was cleared. Jones had a great chance to put us ahead in the 60th minute when put through by Nick Lowery but the defence got back quickly to block after he had skipped past Horwood. The resulting corner was cleared to the opposite touchline where Steve Carter floated the ball back in for Kevin Marsden, who had got in behind the defence, to sidefoot home unchallenged. Wakering put us under a bit of pressure towards the end and saw a couple of chances flash wide but in all keeper Michael Collier and his defence held firm.

 

Line-up: Collier, Carter, Bates, Marsden (John 69), Jopson, Moore, Lowery (McGowan 80), Cowley, Jones (Martin 75), Cripps, Locke. Subs not used:- Gooding, Wood (GK)