HORNCHURCH 0 MAIDSTONE 2

[Dagger03]

Thanks to George Sessions for his help in compiling this report - I was on the microphone last night and could not take many notes.

 

Please note that the bookings are as per the referee's report.

 

Tuesday 02-September-2014

HORNCHURCH  0  MAIDSTONE UTD  2 (played at Aveley FC)

 

 

HFC – Sam Mott – Phil Starkey – Alex Bentley – Elliot Styles © - Omar Beckles – Frankie Curley – Junior Luke –Tom Davis  (Elyon Marshall-Katung 64) – Tobi Joseph  (Junior Dadson 73) – George Purcell – Chris Bourne

Subs –Frank Griffin - Moses Ashikodi – Jamie Hursit

 

MU – Lee Worgan – Dean Pooley – Tom Mills – Steve Watt © - Sunny Miles – James Rogers – Matt Bodkin – Jack Parkinson – Ben Greenhalgh (Michael Phillips 72) – Frannie Collin (Ashley Miller 83)  – Alex Flisher

Subs – Alex Brown – Jamie Coyle – Will Godmon

 

Scorers – Collin 17 – Flisher 27

Attendance 282

Officials – Neil Davies with David Tregaskes and Peter Wilson

Duration – 46.17 + 48.58

Bookings –

Flisher 33 (MU)

Miles 42 (MU)

Bourne 62 (H) – before the penalty was taken

Bentley 63 (H) – after the penalty was taken

Beckles 69 (H)

Purcell 76 (H)

 

Penalty – Collin (MU) 62 – saved

 

HORNCHURCH  0  MAIDSTONE UTD  2 (played at Aveley FC)

 

Hornchurch’s first home game of the season ended with defeat as two first half goals gave Maidstone the three points at Mill Field Stadium.

 

With Bridge Avenue still unavailable due to work being completed on the floodlights, Urchins started their home campaign with a match at Aveley’s Stadium.

 

However, the return to football in Essex failed to halt the winless run the club are suffering as goals from Frannie Collin and Alex Flisher gave the Stones the three points and keeps Hornchurch bottom of the table.

 

Jimmy McFarlane’s side impressed in the second period but were unable to beat away keeper Lee Worgan and have failed to find the net six times already this campaign.

 

Maidstone had the first opportunity of the match after a long throw caused confusion in the box but away captain Steve Watt fired over the bar.

 

Neither side was able to create many more clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges but Urchins Junior Luke went close with a rasping volley but Lee Worgan saved.

 

Then, with 18 minutes played, the away side opened the scoring when another long throw caused problems for Mott and the home defence. After some pinball, Maidstone’s Collin profited, swiveling and striking the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.

 

Tobi Joseph directed a header off target for Hornchurch shortly after before they conceded a second five minutes later.

 

Maidstone took a quick free kick and Ben Greenhalgh’s centre was excellently converted by Alex Flisher, who flicked the ball between his legs and into the corner for a two-goal lead.

 

The visitors controlled proceedings after and though Urchins started to produce some slicker football before the half time whistle, they were unable to create a chance of note.

 

Hornchurch did work Worgan at the start of the second period as he tipped Purcell’s swerving free kick over the bar before the striker sliced another effort off target.

 

And Urchins continued to press as Joseph was nearly given a clear shot at goal but Maidstone skipper Watt slide in excellently following Luke’s knock down.

 

Despite the host starting brightly, they nearly found themselves further behind when Alex Bentley was adjudged to have fouled Mark Bodkin inside the box.

 

Collin stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was well saved by Mott to keep Urchins in the game.

 

Four minutes after that save and Hornchurch nearly reduced the deficit through Joseph but the forward side footed wide when well placed.

 

Luke did come close to reducing the arrears five minutes from time, but after beating a couple of opponents he dragged his shot wide before substitute Junior Dadson also fired off target moments later.

 

That represented Hornchurch’s final opportunity and they have just one point from eight league matches with second place Margate up next at Bridge Avenue, that fixture kicking off at 2pm on Saturday.