AFC Hornchurch 2 Enfield Town 1

[Hawkeye Pierce]

John, Campbell, Magona, Tickner, Bastian, Jones, Velandia, Hall, Crace, Hammatt, Negus, Hunt, Nyman, Carroll, Ofori, Watson.

 

Gate 613.

 

Well from the worried look on Jim’s face before the match I knew things were bad and it didn’t take long to find out how bad today. Hornchurch played with a flat back four and us with our usual three. Don’t ask me why?

 

The game was initially a battle lost in the midfield and won in attack. Simon Parker made a sublime run down the right leaving Matty Negus looking for all the world lost for pace and then scored from an almost impossible angel. 1 – 0.

 

Town had a corner and had its usual off the woodwork header and Andy Jones had a hard and low drive shot blocked. Steve Velandia had a shot saved. At the other end Simon Parker and Kris Lee were just awesome. Kris had a shot saved by JJ with his feet and then immediately over his head-catching cleanly. A game of head tennis ensued in the town penalty area and JJ gone walk about leaving defenders in front of goal somehow keeping the ball out! Town had a penalty appeal when Velandia was brought down but to have given it would have been a bit harsh. Velandia booked. AFCH shot over the bar. Town somehow headed round our own post to prevent a goal - jeepers that was close. Paul Campbell needlessly booked. Just before Garry Cross nailed another lovely goal if you were a Hornchurch fan. Town fans at half time felt to a man it really felt like men against boys in the first half and hoped for a better second. 2 – 0.

 

Second half Kojo Ofori on for Steve Velandia. AFCH had two chances which they missed. Rudi Hall booked. Simon Tickner headed wide. Dean Nyman on for Matty Negus. A free header was saved by JJ in a one on one. A second free kick to Rudi Hall saved. Dave Hunt on for Andy Jones. After a brawl on the pitch and lack of action from the ref the AFCH dugout gets a ticking off from the ref. A Bryan Hammatt shot was tipped over by Dale – Late in the game our first real chance. Bryan wouldn’t do that again after he was scythed to the ground and pretty much immobilized. Finally Ricci Crace slips his marker and gets into a one on one with Dale 2 – 1. Hey we are back in this! How the H*ll did we do that? Queue the ball boys –trained to perfection in time wasting! Steve Magona in with elbow in with some retaliation (maybe for the previous crippling of Bryan). Has AFCH screaming for the red card but only gets a yellow.

 

Second half AFC H (job done) did remove both Parker and Lee with substitutions which again reduced the goal margin flatteringly so.

 

AFC Hornchurch is the best team I’ve seen in this league this season and deserve to be champions. It is theirs to lose in my book because I can’t see anybody stopping them now.

 

We lacked self-belief and gave the ball away too cheaply in the midfield in the first half. Once the forwards got some supply in the second half we started to crawl on our finger tips into the game.

 

We still have 17 days to sign an additional resources and at this moment in time I think the squad is NOT strong enough to make the playoff let alone have a chance of winning one!

 

[Mr Happy]

disagree with you there Keith. The sqaud we have will get into the play offs as long as we play to our strenght ie on te deck the way the beautiful game should be played. however, we really need a win next week and aim for second spot.

[enfield T]

Rymanreason,how can you say we don't have a squad good enough for a play-off place.That is a staggering statement.We have a better sqaud than last season, where we made the play-offs easily.We need better consistancy both from the players and from the management,but we have the most talented squad in the league by some margin (with the exception of Hornchurch).

 

Our squad will be improved even more,simply by our injured player returning to fitness.We have been without three first choice defenders.Allen/Gant/Patrick.When Braithwaite is fit he will be a big assett.Carrol looks to be a great prospect if given the chance.Even with injuries our squad has strength in depth,with players like Watson/Nyman/Hunt/Smith rarely getting a starting place.

 

 

[OldTowner]

Hornchurch talented ?

I do not think so.

Strong, physical, workmanlike, play to their strengths, good in the air YES but talented NO.

In both our games against them they have looked strong because Town looked so weak.

YESTERDAY TOWN WERE JUST NOT INTERESTED UNTIL THE LAST 10 MINUTES.

God knowa what sort of team talk Jim gives them before these "big games" but what ever it is, it makes the players perform like rabbits caught in the headlights.

Until we play to OUR strengths - football on the deck - we will continue to struggle in these "big games".

We need to get this crap of playing left backs in the middle of the back out of the way...play players in their "correct place" and show some determination, starting Tuesday and be ready for Saturday at Arlow.

I am not sure this team is ready for a higher level even though individually they are better than last season.

As a Team.....not sure.

Some gutsey performances required me thinks.

[kimbles left foot]

Originally Posted By: OldTowner

Hornchurch talented ?
I do not think so.
Strong, physical, workmanlike, play to their strengths, good in the air YES but talented NO.

I dont think you know what your talking about...lost 3 games all season....conceded just 12 in that space of time...top by 6 points....your lucky...just imagine how good we would be if we were 'talented'

[Uncle Urchin]

he's just upset kimbo......anyone that thinks players like crossy..janners..lee..parks et all are not talented is not a real football fan...

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Originally Posted By: enfield T

Rymanreason,how can you say we don't have a squad good enough for a play-off place.That is a staggering statement.We have a better sqaud than last season, where we made the play-offs easily.We need better consistancy both from the players and from the management,but we have the most talented squad in the league by some margin (with the exception of Hornchurch).

Our squad will be improved even more,simply by our injured player returning to fitness.We have been without three first choice defenders.Allen/Gant/Patrick.When Braithwaite is fit he will be a big assett.Carrol looks to be a great prospect if given the chance.Even with injuries our squad has strength in depth,with players like Watson/Nyman/Hunt/Smith rarely getting a starting place.

Depends whether you are serious about going for the playoff win or just making the numbers up?

Staggering! Yes after some of our best players have been crippled! I know for a fact that both Gant and Allen were desperate to be fit to play yesterday.

We don't have enough fast paced defenders that are unmugged. Like Brad Brottherton before him I prefer Steve Magona in that midfield role and for similar reasons.

So far Leon Braithwaite is a figment of someones vivid imagination! The Invisible Man has put in more appearances.

Harrison was out there for the reserves but not for the first team?

We gave the ball away too cheaply. Our forwards could not get into the game until 80 minutes had passed. Can't blame Bryan or Ricci for that!

Smudger didn't even make the bench.

It was MEN and BOYS yesterday and sadly we were the BOYS.

I think Canvey Island whilst being boring to watch are better than us and when it comes to the big playoff type games (like yesterday) we ARE not good enough.

Hornchurch had arrange a friendly with Dagenham and Redbridge this week. I remember when we aspired to play at that level (especially in the preseason matches).

I console myself by looking at Corby's place in their league after pinching our promotion slot.

Prove me wrong there is nothing I want more!

[enfield T]

Surely its up to you to prove us wrong.Town are at present comfortably sitting in a play-off spot.The standard of this league is not overly strong either,with only the likes of Ware and Aveley near enough to challange us.

 

Canvey are not better than us.They are simlpy a poors man Hornchurch(ie-Play the same way,but with inferior players).As such,they are highly inconsistant away from home. I agree that Jim and the players could well bottle the big play-off games (as usual),but that will be down to preperation and mindset rather that strength or depth of the squad.

[OldTowner]

Originally Posted By: kimbles left foot

Originally Posted By: OldTowner

Hornchurch talented ?
I do not think so.
Strong, physical, workmanlike, play to their strengths, good in the air YES but talented NO.

I dont think you know what your talking about...lost 3 games all season....conceded just 12 in that space of time...top by 6 points....your lucky...just imagine how good we would be if we were 'talented'

I take nothing away from your League position and that you have taken 6 points from Town.
Well done and good luck.
However, I would not describe Hornchurch as a talented team.

[Bionic II]

Interesting comments fellas and tks for coming to our habite yesterday, does make a nice change to have a bit of banter.

Hope you all enjoyed your day, I was impressed with your style of play although sometimes, particularly in Wintry windy times, it's best to get it up to the front men early and then start playing.

I wish you well and will be looking out for your results.

[Duke of York]

Originally Posted By: Rhymenreason

I think the squad is NOT strong enough to make the playoff let alone have a chance of winning one!

I cannot believe your ‘lack’ of belief in the team. We only lost by two goals to one against a team that has annihilated other teams by putting 5, 6 and 7 goals past them. We held our own for periods in the second half and we nearly got an equaliser late on.

How can you say we’re not strong enough to reach the play-offs yet we sit in 3rd place with games in hand having played every team this season and having lost to Champions elect by just a single goal on two occasions? With Dave Allen fit I’m sure we could have got something from the game.

It was a below par performance on Saturday but we will be in the play-offs at the end of the season. You are clearly a man who sees his glass as ‘half-empty’! Talking of half-empty glasses, Tony Lazerou was spotted enjoying a beer or two in The Fox yesterday lunchtime?

[Mr Happy]

Originally Posted By: Duke of York

Talking of half-empty glasses, Tony Lazerou was spotted enjoying a beer or two in The Fox yesterday lunchtime?

So why didn't you do any of these to him...

[Sponsor of Beer]

And Mr Duke of York, what were you doing in the Fox then?

[Mr Happy]

Erm, drinking maybe!?

[Duke of York]

I was there for Sunday lunch and a few beers (Not Ginger Beers!') Great food but no decent ale. We’re talking about the Fox in Palmers Green here. I’ve since heard on the grapevine that this pub has a certain reputation similar to the Stag. Can this really be true? I doubt it.

 

To answer Mr H’s question, I couldn’t really have a go at the bloke as all his misdemeanors happened before I moved to the borough.

[Mr Happy]

I didn't mean have a go. I meant KILL HIM!!!

[townerboy]

Originally Posted By: Duke of York

I was there for Sunday lunch and a few beers (Not Ginger Beers!') Great food but no decent ale. We’re talking about the Fox in Palmers Green here. I’ve since heard on the grapevine that this pub has a certain reputation similar to the Stag. Can this really be true? I doubt it.

the FOx was the clasic underage drinking pub bback in the day

[Gazza]

A Lazarou in Palmers Green, how stereotypical!

 

The Fox, Hmmmmmm saw a few live bands there in the 80's, then became famous in the 90's for shooting practice.

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Originally Posted By: Duke of York

Originally Posted By: Rhymenreason

I think the squad is NOT strong enough to make the playoff let alone have a chance of winning one!

I cannot believe your ‘lack’ of belief in the team. We only lost by two goals to one against a team that has annihilated other teams by putting 5, 6 and 7 goals past them. We held our own for periods in the second half and we nearly got an equaliser late on.

How can you say we’re not strong enough to reach the play-offs yet we sit in 3rd place with games in hand having played every team this season and having lost to Champions elect by just a single goal on two occasions? With Dave Allen fit I’m sure we could have got something from the game.

It was a below par performance on Saturday but we will be in the play-offs at the end of the season. You are clearly a man who sees his glass as ‘half-empty’! Talking of half-empty glasses, Tony Lazerou was spotted enjoying a beer or two in The Fox yesterday lunchtime?

We lost by a single goal because AFC Hornchurch for whatever reason took their foot off the gas. Where was the teams self belief on Saturday?

Lack of faith? If we are leaning on just faith in Jim and the team I have a feeling that will not be enough for promotion. I want us to win the play-offs with some style not to get to the playoffs on a wing and prayer.

No you always learn more from your defeats than your wins. We know our strengths - It is our weaknesses that we have to work on and our opposition will work to exploit. You can't pile great numbers of new players in there but a well chosen midefielder and uncrippled centre back might just be the difference between scraping into the playoffs and winning them with some style.

[brutus]

rhymenreason as usual you are talking out of your rear end we are certainly good enough to be in the play offs maybe the injury to some of our players at the back came at the wrong time for us some teams you get away with hornchurch you dont by the end of feb we will have a better idea of what we need to do having by then played all the top teams twice.