THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – AFC HORNCHURCH (HOME)

Dulwich Hamlet begins a long Champion Hill residency with the first of eight home games in ten as the East London Urchins arrive today.

Dulwich Hamlet begins a long Champion Hill residency with the first of eight home games in ten as the East London Urchins arrive today.

Just like Dulwich’s, the FA dreams of AFC Hornchurch died in the past week though the Urchins sojourn in that competition was a little longer and a lot tighter than that of the Hamlet. 270 minutes of pulsating football failed to separate them from East Thurrock United with the tie finally settled late on Tuesday evening with the Rocks coming out on top in a penalty shootout.

That same night Dulwich were getting back to winning ways with a compelling 3-0 win away to bottom club VCD Athletic, ironically the scene of the Urchins only competition victory so far in what has been a torrid start to the season.

Forced to play all their games away from home after floodlight problems at their Bridge Avenue Stadium, the Urchins managed to garner just one point in the whole of August, that in a 2-2 draw away to Lewes, the hosts salvaging a draw with a last minute penalty to peg back Hornchurch’s 2-0 halftime lead.

Beyond that, there was naught but frustration for the fans, a lot of traveling, six defeats, and just a single goal away to Leatherhead to brighten dark days.

Even when they finally found themselves with a home game, those pesky lights meant the Essex travellers were back on the road once more “entertaining” table topping Maidstone United up the road at Aveley. Once more it was frustration as the attack failed to fire on all cylinders, drawing a sixth blank of the campaign as first half goals from Frannie Collin and Alex Flisher kept the Stones rolling at the top of the table.

The following Saturday the league said let there be light and there was light. Hornchurch returned to the Bridge after an incredible SEVENTEEN games and more than a thousand miles on the road. Unfortunately following in the bootsteps of Maidstone was the second half of Kent’s two-pronged title attack, Margate who proved the party-poopers with a brace of second half goals ensuring victory as the Urchins attack fired blanks once more.

Last Saturday’s FA Cup tie brought some relief, George Purcell finding his scoring boots to give Hornchurch a 14th minute lead at Bridge Avenue, the Urchins could only hold that advantage for 4 minutes. A late blitzkrieg on the East Thurrock goal failed to provide a winner and it was all round the back for the old replay on Tuesday evening. Three minutes Purcell again gave the Urchins the lead before Sam Higgins converted a hotly contested penalty for East Thurrock. Martin Tuohy restored the advantage just after the hour mark but again the Rocks rallied to force extra time as David Bryant slid one in. Though they had the advantage at 2-1 in the shootout early on, Tobi Joseph’s saved effort meant it was 3-3 with each side having one kick to take. Reece Harris scored for the hosts before Junior Dadson took what was to prove the final kick of the match, ballooning his spot kick high over the bar and into the misty Essex night.

Still the Urchins must take heart from two battling displays and with the likes of the prolific George Purcell in their arsenal should never be taken lightly despite their current barren run of results.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 12.30 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. As a very healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the late rush and relax. Before the game enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £2.00