My first trip to the Hornchurch Arena and very impressive it is, too. A new clubhouse, patio, boardroom and restaurant overlooking the pitch, this part of the complex has the feel of a golf-club. The 'Urchinettes', dressed in club strip, are the very friendly and efficient bar staff. Two huge plasma televisions. Car parking attendants. Professional stewards. A gym and treatment centre. 4 burger bars. The Chairman, Manager and the 1st team playing squad is full-time. Nice people here.
The pitch is surrounded by a running track but Croydon Arena this isn't.
All of this costs money and it cannot come from the £6.50 admission price, the £1 programme or the £7.50 replica shirts. A clue comes from the helicopter parked (if that's the right word for helicopters) behind one of the goals. This is not the mode of transport of the Chairman or even a member of the Board. "I'm just a fan", he said. "We could do with one or two like you", I thought. He stood beside me during the match and a really nice guy he is too. I dread to think of the level of financial assistance that this guy has given to Hornchurch over the past 3 years. I hope that he enjoys it.
From the Essex Senior League to the Ryman Premier Division in 3 years, these people are to be taken very seriously indeed.
For tonight Cookie knows not to change a winning team or bench from Saturday and he didn't.
A lively start from both sides with Gledhill and Graham threatening on the right and for the Urchins, a pacy left winger, Jon Keeling, midfielder Jude Sterling of the huge throw and good skills supplying tricky strikers Andy Douglas and Andrew Hankin. However, it soon became clear that the back four of both sides were well up to the task. Seeby and De Souza were solid and Murray is increasingly at home at left-back. White coped with a number of crosses but neither keeper was faced with a shot on target until the opening goal on the half-hour.
The impressive Graham latched on to a poor clearance, took the ball on towards the box and, rather than a deep cross, hit a shorter ball to Tomlinson who deftly flicked it on over the defence to McDonnell. With one touch and a sharp turn the City striker clipped the ball to the left of the home keeper for his 3rd goal in successive games. 0-1.
Chances must come in the second half and the first was within 15 seconds. Douglas beat the offside trap for the first time and took the ball into the area to go around The 'Walrus of Glove', Barry White was up to the task, delaying the striker on his first dive and denying him on his second to take the ball. Minutes later, the visitors had their chance to add to the score when a flowing move from Seeby to Wraight to Graham and a cross found McDonnell whose shot was blocked by Danny |Gay, the home keeper and Wraight's follow-up deflected for a corner.
Half chances were being created from good football in the midfield by both sides but both defences were at the top of their game.
On 70 minutes, a Saints attack was broken up in the Urchins penalty area and a long ball from Sterling found Douglas just inside the City half in the middle of City's back 4. He took the ball on at pace and De Souza's tackle was adjudged a foul, 35 yards out. Although there was still a long way to go, the referee decided that he was the last man and produced a red card.
The Saints re-formed and showed great character throughout the side for the last 20 minutes. It wasn't totally one-way traffic, either. Hornchurch were unable to create many clear chances and in the final seconds of the game, Douglas slipped his marker 8 yards out but hit a rather tame shot straight at the grateful White. It summed up the Urchins evening. F.T. 0-1.
Hornchurch were not firing on all cylinders tonight. A solid defence and enterprising midfield but the strikers were below par against a City back 4 who played very well, worked hard and are increasingly comfortable with each other. Cookie will be delighted with the win against a side who will be there or thereabouts in May. MotM? For me Gledhill, De Souza or Wraight but they all played their part. The attendance was 430 with just under 100 Travelling City Faithful.
Entertainment 7/10. Technical merit 8/10. Referee 6/10. Atmosphere 7/10.
Match report by Awayday |
