HORNCHURCH 2 KELVEDON HATCH 2

HFC – Michael Bowditch – Dave McSweeney – Billy Coyne – Elliot Styles (John Purdie 61) – Ronnie Fletcher – Pul Shave – Jo Flack – Jamie Richards – Leon Hunter – Jo Flack – Martin Tuohy (Stefan Azenfour 72) – Jonathan Hunt (Michael Spencer 79)

KH – Danny Fenn – Nick Pegg – Darren Brown – Michael Palmieri – Chris Neville – Gary Smith – Steve Merrick – Tony Price – Greg Taylor – Chris Muir – Danny Demetriou

Subs – Sam Raven – James Burt – Dave Hopwood


Kelvedon Hatch play in the Essex Olympian League, and for the last two seasons have finished runners up to Harold Wood. They cannot progress higher, as they are unable to enclose their ground. If they were to progress, they would be capable of holding a place in the higher reaches of the Isthmian League North. So it was never going to be an easy evening for the home side, although for much of the first half the visitors were forced to defend.

Jo Flack went close, and Jamie Richards hit a shot over the bar, whilst Jonathan Hunt sent over a dipping free kick which keeper Danny Fenn diverted over the bar for a corner. With Leon Hunter and Jonathan Hunt dominant in midfield, Kelvedon Hatch rarely managed to break out of defence, though Danny Demetriou was twice prevented from getting through, by Elliot Styles and Ronnie Fletcher.

The opening goal came when the ball came over from the right, Martin Tuohy could not reach it, but it ran on to JO FLACK who crashed his shot into the net from outside the area. And Flack almost added a second when his volley from Jamie Richards’ centre skimmed the bar.

Hatch began strongly in the second half and levelled the score when GREG TAYLOR finished off an excellent run with an equally excellent shot. Michael Bowditch made two good saves as Hatch grew in confidence, but Hornchurch came back and Danny Fenn dived to turn a goalbound shot from Jamie Richards around the post. The visiting centre half had been dominant in defence, continually thwarting the waves of home attacks, but a Jonathan Hunt corner found Ronnie Fletcher whose header was inches over the bar. John Purdie came on for his first appearance in several months, and played several good passes through from midfield.

Hatch went in front when DANNY DEMETRIOU finished off a solo run through the middle with a well place shot over Bowditch. Hornchurch replied strongly with triallist Stefan Azenfour making a powerful run down the right, and then hitting the bar, and Flack and Paul Shave went close. With three minutes left, JO FLACK seized on a defensive error in midfield to run forward and neatly slot the ball home for the equaliser.