Hornchurch 5 Berkhamsted Town 3

[Urchins]

What a great day for Hornchurch Football Club.

 

Anyone who thought we might suffer from big match nerves were proved wrong as this turned out to be a supreme performance against a decent on-form side.

 

We started very strongly but after a couple of good chances went begging, notably a header from Andrew Martin on 13 minutes and then a Nicky Lowery shot which hit the side-netting on 31 minutes, it was beginning to look as though this might be a frustrating afternoon. Our first goal came, though, in the 33rd minute when a Gavin McGowan shot from 20 yards was half blocked, but the ball travelled into the area to find Vinnie John unmarked 10 yards out who rifled the ball into the roof of the net. A lapse in concentration 3 minutes later let in Berkhamsted's Simon Sweeney who equalised with perhaps their first real chance on goal. The lead was restored however just before half time when Kevin Marsden ran onto to head in a Garry Kimble corner from close range.

 

Our third goal came 9 minutes into the second half when Jamie Southon headed a Garry Kimble free kick in off the post and we further extended our lead in the 70th minute when John was gifted a chance after a goalkeeping error which he duly accepted. Berkhamsted's Peter Clifford headed against the crossbar with 15 minutes left but all hope vanished for them 5 minutes later when a long ball down the right flank found Steve Jones who got to the ball before the advancing keeper to score spectacularly from an acute angle. Berkhamsted's John Richardson on 80 minutes and John Pedder on 90 minutes pulled goals back but by then the celebrations were already beginning.

 

Line-up:- Collier, Carter, Kimble, Marsden, Jopson, Moore, McGowan (75), Southon, Martin (Jones 70), John, Lowery (Fox 85). Subs not used: Cripps, Wood (GK)

[Urchin Boy]

UP THE URCHINS