Blues Beaten By Hornchurch

Report by Dylan Smith

The Blues travelled to Essex on Tuesday evening to face Hornchurch in the Isthmian Premier Division. Goals from Liam Nash, Ryan Scott and Tom Wraight overcame Ben Greenhalgh’s header giving Hornchurch the 4-1 victory.

Manager Reece Presteddge was forced into one change from the weekend’s win over Whitehawk as Tyrone Sterling missed the game, meaning Skye Salmon started alongside Harry Hudson, with Dan Duncanson coming onto the bench.

The game opened with the Urchins having much of the ball, meaning the home side looked very dangerous in the final third, however the ‘Gate defence was able to stand firm and ultimately, were able to keep the hosts at bay comfortably.

The Blues did fall behind in the 23rd minute of the game. A ball from the left side was whipped across to the back post led to Nash being unmarked at the back post where he fired the ball into the net from two yards out to give Hornchurch a 1-0 lead.

Despite the early possession from the home side, Margate found some possession themselves and managed to get a foothold in the game. Phil Roberts sent a shot just wide of the goal, after nice buildup play from Greenhalgh down the right wing.

The near misses gave the ‘Gate the momentum they needed. They would go on to equalise just before half-time as a quick counterattack down the left-hand side found the in-form Roberts, who managed to create some space and cross the ball in Greenhalgh’s direction. He got his head onto the end of the cross and found the bottom corner with a brilliant finish to level the scores.

Half-time seemingly came to soon for the Blues; but after the 15-minute break, they still looked like the side who were most likely to take the lead. A few blocked efforts from Greenhalgh and a near wonder goal from Montel Agyemang, were good signs for the ‘Gate in the opening spell of the second half.

Despite the pressure from Margate, it would be the home side who scored the next all-important goal to make it 2-1. A ball from Wraight found Nash at the back stick once again and he was able to convert into the empty net, leaving the defenders with a nasty feeling of déjà vu.

With the ‘Gate chasing an equaliser, the Urchins sealed the game with an 80th minute header from Ryan Scott. The centre back worked some space in the box from a corner and placed the ball past Reece Hobbs.

The Blues undeservedly conceded a fourth late into stoppage time when Hobbs attempted to clear the ball but was delicately lobbed by Wraight.

The ’Gate will look for their chance to bounce back on Saturday, as they take on recently relegated Concord Rangers.

Goal(s)

Greenhalgh ‘42

Line-up

Hobbs, Hatfull, Johnson, Agyemang, Hudson, Blackman (Mazzone 85’), Cawley (Smith 88’), Roberts, Greenhalgh, Rutehrford (Cham 71), Salmon

Subs not used

Duncanson, Sutcliffe

Attendance

538 

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