Last night we found ourselves travelling to unbeaten side Hornchurch in a Tuesday night matchup against the current league leaders. A disappointing night meant we were left to rue missed opportunities as a late strike from substitute Sean Scannell handed Hornchurch a dramatic 1-0 victory.
The visitors began brightly, setting the tempo in the opening exchanges. Captain Charlie Carter rattled the post with a long-range drive in the first 30 seconds, marking a positive start for the Wanderers. The early momentum continued with positive build up play from Jimmy Muitt and Jason Prior, but no attempt found the net.
In the latter stages of the first half, Hornchurch gradually found their rhythm. Balanta’s dangerous delivery was cleared by Storey before the visitors enjoyed a flurry of corners. One big opportunity fell from one of those set pieces to a Hornchurch attacker and if Tony Craig hadn’t intervened it would most likely have led to the first goal. We continued to threaten through Jimmy Muitt, who fired narrowly over the bar with a half-volley from a tight angle before the break, but Frank Vincent’s late booking summed up a competitive first half that saw chances for both sides without reward. Furthermore, and more worryingly, Foulkes picked up a significant knock which forced Storey into taking goal kicks for the remainder of the match.
Half Time: Hornchurch 0-0 Dorking Wanderers
The second half opened with similar intensity. Carter tested the Hornchurch keeper Arthur Nasta with a low drive, while Harrison Foulkes was called into action at the other end to deny Henry Hearn one-on-one. Tempers began to flare as bookings mounted, with Muitt and Gallagher cautioned during a feisty spell.
Marc White looked to his bench, introducing Pybus, Rutherford and Hebert to spark a breakthrough, but it was Hornchurch who struck decisively. On 81 minutes, a counter-attack down the right saw a patient Pegrum pick out Scannell on the left-hand side, who took his time before curling a composed finish into the bottom corner beyond Foulkes. 1-0
Dorking pushed for a response, with Lewis delivering a superb cross met by Hebert, only for the substitute to glance wide. Despite our best attempts at equalising, Hornchurch’s defence held firm through five minutes of stoppage time, securing the win.
Full Time: Hornchurch 1-0 Dorking Wanderers