Saturday 12-April-2014 HARROW BOROUGH 1 HORNCHURCH 2

[blackballed]

A deserved win at windswept Harrow

by Tony Middleton

Hornchurch move closer to the play-offs with goals from Chris Bourne and Stefan Payne.

Saturday 12-April-2014
HARROW BOROUGH 1 HORNCHURCH 2

HB – James Shea – Ola Williams – Adam Louth – Harold Odametey (Shaun Lucien 49) – Danny Leech – Michael Peacock – Michael Barima – Rob Wooleaston © - Marc Charles-Smith – Steve Butterworth (Ryan Debattista 56) – Victor Osobu
Subs – Matt Cooper – Anthony Page

HFC – Inigo Echepare – Dave Rainford (Leigh Bremner at half time) – Chris Bourne (Billy Coyne 86) – Elliot Styles © - Rickie Hayles – Frank Curley – Tambeson Eyong – Phil Starkey – Stefan Payne – George Purcell (Carl Rook 77) – Martin Tuohy
Subs – Danny Phillips – Billy Folkes

Scorers – Bourne 21 (H) – Payne 47 (H) – Charles-Smith 69 (HB)
Booking – Osobu 81 (HB)
Attendance 164
Officials – Dave Bushell with Christopher Potter and Jack Ohene
Duration 48.06 + 50.51
Weather – overcast – 14 degrees, wind speed up to 25 mph in second half.

HARROW BOROUGH 1 HORNCHURCH 2

On a bumpy pitch Hornchurch won two corners in the first five minutes, both taken by Chris Bourne, from the second of which Rickie Hayles went close with a header.

Frankie Curley had an opportunity shortly afterwards, from a good pass by Martin Tuohy, but he hit his shot over the bar.

Harrow were confined to defence for long periods, but broke clear on the left, and Hayles did well to tackle to concede a corner. Victor Osobu sent the ball over and Inigo Echepare punched clear.

Hornchurch continued to press forward, and took the lead when a long throw from Hayles, on the right, was headed on, and Chris Bourne netted at the second attempt, after James Shea had parried his first header.

Tambeson Eyong opened up the home defence on the right with a penetrating run, before eventually being tackled by Adam Louth.

Hornchurch seemed likely to increase their lead when Stefan Payne played the ball through to George Purcell, who ran forward, only for keeper Shea to make a fine diving save to prevent the goal.

A Martin Tuohy cross went invitingly across the goalmouth without anyone being able to get a touch, whilst Phil Starkey combined well with Purcell to set up Eyong, whose left footed shot went over the bar.

Hayles moved upfield and played a good ball to Purcell, whose shot was well saved by Shea.

In a rare home attack Echepare punched away another Osobu corner, but it was in stoppage time that Harrow had their best chance to draw level, when Osobu ran clear of the Hornchurch defence, and Echepare raced out of goal to dive full length and just beat Osobu to the ball, which was turned out for a corner.

Dave Rainford did not reappear for the second half, having failed a half time fitness test, and he was replace by Leigh Bremner.

The wind had by now increased markedly and Harrow had the advantage, as was indicated when two long clearances by Shea had to be fielded at the other end by Echepare.

Hornchurch went further ahead two minutes into the second half when Tuohy slid the ball inside to Purcell, who tried to get into a shooting position, but seemed to be crowded out, and instead he slipped the ball inside to Stefan Payne whose first time shot sped past a surprised Shea.

Harrow introduced Shaun Lucien, who sent over a dangerous wind-assisted corner, which Echepare punched away.

Hornchurch came back strongly when Payne and Purcell combined to set up Martin Tuohy, whose shot cannoned back off a defender.

Payne then gained possession in midfield and sent a through ball to Purcell, only for Shea to rush out quickly and kick clear.

Two crosses by Chris Bourne were scrambled away in quick succession, before Tambeson Eyong mistimed a tackle, and MARC CHARLES-SMITH converted the resulting penalty.

Hornchurch then came under some intense pressure, and Echepare made an excellent save from a first time shot by Adam Louth, which seemed certain to end up in the net.

Carl Rook came on for Purcell and made in immediate impact, winning a high clearance and almost setting up Payne, whilst a Rook – Tuohy combination set up Payne, who ran towards goal but hit his shot narrowly wide.

With Harrow using the strong downfield wind to propel the ball deep into the Hornchurch half, Billy Coyne came on for Chris Bourne, and was in action straight away with a fine header to avert a dangerous centre.

Tuohy again went close after a solo run, and Phil Starkey shot wide after a good run by Payne.

Hornchurch had little difficulty in playing out the five minutes of stoppage time and took three deserved points.

 

[cup of tea]

Was there really 164 there? Didn't look like it.

[Dagger03]

Thanks to Blackballed for posting this report.

 

I was not able to access the forum, hence there was no report of the Hampton match either.