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.

Oliver 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 our Under-21s 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 the Spurs 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 an equaliser.

Eight minutes later, Daryl McMahon’s side threatened again, with Joe Kizzi heading inches over Sam 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 either side and a couple of goals in the final few minutes. The first opportunity fell Spurs’ 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 on to a ball that went through the left-hand side of the Spurs defence and got into the position where he only had Archer to beat. The midfielder’s low curler travelled underneath the arm of Archer and just inside the far post to net the hosts’ third.

After what turned out to be a compelling first half, the second set of 45 minutes took a while to get going. Substitute Maeson King came the closest to getting the Under-21s 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 Burnett’s side is a trip to Spain for a pre-season training camp which will end with a friendly against Algrecias 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')

Spurs: Archer, Feeney, Sowunmi, Adedeji (King 60'), Dorrington (C) (Hanson 70'), Moncur, Boast, Elliott-Parris, Lehane (Muslika 60'), Ramsey (Thomas 76'), O. Irow

Match data

Goals: Hornchurch - Hearn 31’, Powell 44’, Ferguson 45+2’; Spurs - Dorrington 02’

Venue: Hornchurch Stadium

Yellow cards: Dorrington 39’, Greenidge 73’

Weather: Sunny, 28 degrees