Under-21s defeated by Hornchurch in third pre-season clash

Wayne Burnett’s side took the lead on a sweltering afternoon, with captain Alfie Dorrington heading home inside two minutes, but were pegged back by Henry Hearn after 31 minutes.

Oli Irow came close to restoring the lead after 42 minutes, but saw an impressive strike saved two minutes before the hosts marched down the other end and edged in front through Jack Powell.

Nathan Ferguson added a third for Hornchurch in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, placing a shot underneath a diving Sam Archer and into the far corner, which sealed the victory for the hosts.

Dorrington’s header cemented what was a perfect start for us from kick-off, with Oliver Boast bursting down the right wing and into the penalty area, where his shot was put out for an early corner, from which came the defender’s opener.

After conceding early, the Urchins got on the ball and looked for an equaliser, but were unable to trouble our defence right away. The only opportunity the hosts were able to produce inside the opening half-an-hour of the game came from an effort from range nine minutes in, which was fired over the crossbar by Ferguson.

As the clock ticked into the last 15 minutes of the first half, the hosts found a breakthrough through Hearn, after Asher Yearwood was found in space via a switch of play from left to right and delivered a high ball for Hearn to head in. Eight minutes later, Daryl McMahon’s side threatened again, with Joe Kizzi heading inches over Archer’s goal from a deep free-kick, which was conceded by Dorrington.

The half ended in an entertaining manner with a number of chances for either side and a couple of goals in the final few minutes. The first opportunity fell our way with Irow catching out Hornchurch goalkeeper Arthur Nasta with a fizzing effort, which was palmed over at the last second, 42 minutes in. Within two minutes, the hosts had marched into the lead, however, with Powell hitting a ball in stride from 25 yards out, which flew into the top corner.

Hornchurch doubled their lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, with Ferguson latching onto a ball that went through the left-hand side of our defence and getting into a position where he only had Archer to beat, the midfielder’s low curler travelling underneath the arm of the goalkeeper and just inside the far post.

After what turned out to be a compelling first half, the second 45 minutes took a while to get going. Substitute Maeson King came closest to getting us back into the game, finding some space for a free header in the box from an Elisha Sowunmi corner, but the defender sent the ball wide.

The hosts had the opportunity to add a fourth in the closing stages of the game through substitute George Alexander, but the forward’s attempt to round Archer and slot home was ended when the 19-year-old nicked the ball from his feet.

Next up for Wayne Burnett’s side is a trip to Spain for a pre-season training camp which will end with a friendly against Algeciras CF on Saturday 1 August (8pm local time, 7pm BST), before a clash with Enfield Town at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Tuesday 4 August (7.30pm BST).

Line-ups 

Hornchurch: Nasta, Kizzi, Powell, Baldwin, Wraight (c) (Weston 67), Hearn (Alexander 54), Sandat (Trialist C 79), Ferguson (Welch 46), Yearwood (Balanta 46), Ling (Greenidge 67), Inniss (Dallison 19). Substitutes (not used): Byrne, Kelman, Moralee, Edwards.

Spurs: Archer, Feeney, Sowunmi, Adedeji (King 60), Dorrington (c) (Hanson 70), Moncur, Boast, Elliott-Parris, Lehane (Muslika 60), Ramsey (Thomas 76), O Irow. Substitute (not used): Doran.

Match data

Goals: Hornchurch - Hearn 31, Powell 44, Ferguson 45+2; Spurs - Dorrington 2.

Yellow cards: Hornchurch - Greenidge 73; Spurs - Dorrington 39.

Venue: Hornchurch Stadium.

Weather: Sunny, 28 degrees.