Sadler (2) 5, 88, Barnard 9 (pen), Higgins 30, Lee 32

H/T 4 - 1 Att.: 43

AFC Hornchurch

Bishop's Stortford

HORNCHURCH 5 BISHOP’S STORTFORD 3
Hornchurch kicked towards the windmill end of the ground, and went ahead on four minutes when DAVE SADLER converted a high dipping cross from the left, neatly bringing the ball down before slotting it home. Four minutes later, Kris Lee was brought down and DONNY BARNARD raced the length of the pitch to claim the right to take the penalty, and then calmly crashed the ball into the net. Stortford did well to stay in the match as Hornchurch came forward in waves, with Sam Higgins and Dave Sadler both coming close to increasing the lead. It was SAM HIGGINS who scored the third in spectacular style, running through and then lobbing the ball home from a difficult angle on the edge of the area. Two minutes later it was four, when Dave Sadler placed a long through pass for KRIS LEE to score, once again in spectacular fashion.

Stortford came back and shortly before the interval a defensive mix up on the half way line allowed DOMINIC JEAN BAPTISTE the chance to run through, beating three players before placing the ball wide of Grant Lee. The shop was overwhelmed at half time, and all the pies sold out within seconds, but the main talk was about the £1000 fine imposed on Hornchurch for the floodlight failure prior to the Wealdstone match, despite Jenny’s many attempts to get an electrician down in time. Most of the comments were unprintable, and even those that were printable were unprintable.

Urchins started the second half with Tommy Steel on for Kris Lee and Jon Green for Dean Green, and almost made it five in the first minute, when four shots, two from Steel, one from Higgins and one from Sadler, were kicked off the line as the ball bounced all around the goalmouth. The pattern of the match changed on 60 minutes when DAVID CHICK ran solo through the middle and despite close attentions from two defenders was still able to neatly slot the ball home, and two minutes later it was DAVID CHICK once again, this time hitting home from a penalty. It was now the turn of Grant Lee to keep the ball out, and he made fine saves from Chick, twice from Bristow and again from Chick as Stortford powered forward. Back came Hornchurch, and Tommy Steel fired the ball against the inside of the post, and Dave Sadler almost netted with a neat shot from the edge of the area. Grant Lee then made another excellent save to keep Bristow’s close range drive out, and with two minutes to go DAVE SADLER ran solo through the defence and finished off with a tremendous volley from the edge of the area. Sadler nearly got his hattrick but Pack saved well, and the match finished with Urchins once again in control.

AFC Hornchurch

Bishops Stortford