By Bailey Howard

Late Drama returned at the Bridge again as Henry Hearn and Second Half substitution Angelo Balanta in stoppage time to clinched all three points for Hornchurch, as the Urchins defeated a solid Farnborough side 3-1 to extend their unbeaten run to four and bounce to the top of the table of the Enterprise National League South.

After Tuesday’s late 1-0 win at Donkey Lane vs Enfield Town from Captain Tom Wraight, Daryl McMahon made one change to the strong Urchins line-up, with Henry Hearn making a return to replace Angelo Balanta.

The Game Kicked off, with Hornchurch shooting left to right and the first opportunity came on the tenth minute from a dangerous attack from Farnborough, which was crossed into the box, found Billy Clifford and found the target, but was saved superbly from Urchin’s number one Arthur Nasta, which allowed a corner for the away side and was claimed by Nasta.

Ten minutes later, Hornchurch caused Farnborough problems and was paid off through Will Greenidge as Josh Hare pinpointed a lovely cross into the box and found Hornchurch’s number two at the back post and powered the ball past Farnborough’s number one, Jack Turner, and into the net, 1-0 Hornchurch.

Farnborough reacted positively from going behind in the game and created two creative chances. In the twenty-fifth minute, Mason Bloomfield had a great chance to fire level, but was saved well by Nasta and minutes later, Dominic Poleon tried his luck towards goal, but once again Nasta saved well down low.

Two minutes later, Hornchurch had other ideas. Charlie Ruff won possession back in the midfield, drove the ball towards goal, who then squared to Tom Wraight, whose shot was then blocked, which allowed Farnborough to attack, and Arthur Nasta pulled a stunning save to deny Bloomfield’s point-blank header aimed at goal.

Ten minutes before the break, Hornchurch showed domination within the game and tried to double their lead with three chances. Firstly, Darren McQueen had an effort, but was wide of the mark. Secondly, a couple of minutes later, Charlie Ruff sent Henry Hearn clear through on goal, but his shot was saved by Matt Turner, and lastly, Henry Hearn found a header on Josh Hare’s cross but fired it over the top of the bar.

Fortieth minute, either side had an opportunity, Farnborough nearly found their equaliser through Poleon, but his flick was fielded by Nasta, which allowed the Urchins to hit the Yellows on the counter attack, which Myles Weston dribbled down the right hand side, beat his man and saw his powerful shot from distance saved by Turner and out for a corner, which Wraight crossed into the box and found Nathan Betram-Cooper, but headed over the top.

Two minutes were added on by the Fourth Official, and Farnborough had a chance before the break, through Poleon, but his shot was deflected over.

Half Time – Hornchurch 1-0 Farnborough

The Second Half got underway, Farnborough fired out early doors with the hope and desire of finding the leveller with Mason Bloomfield firing the post, Billy Clifford hitting the crossbar, and Poleon firing his shot wide of the target.

In the sixty-fourth minute, Daryl McMahon made changes with Charlie Pegrum and Angelo Balanta entering the field of play for Myles Weston and Charlie Ruff.

Four minutes later, Hornchurch rattled the Farnborough defence, with Will Greendige twisting and shouting towards the goal, and found Angelo Balanta, but his shot dragged immense from the goal, which afterwards Sam Kuffour replaced Darren McQueen.

In the seventy-eighth minute, Farnborough found their way back into the game with slight pressure on the Urchins’ defence, which found an equaliser. A long ball over the top, and John Oyenuga found a connection with the ball and headed over Nasta, who came off his line and collided with Oyenuga, and into the net, 1-1 Farnborough.

Five minutes later, the Urchins found momentum, with the loyal red and army behind them singing on the east side of the Bridge, and punished Farnborough to retake the lead. Sam Kuffour found an eager, hungry Henry Hearn, who cut inside the defender and rifled a distanced effort in the bottom right-hand corner with perfection past Turner and into the net to send the home fans crazy, 2-1 Hornchurch.

The fourth official lifted his board and eight minutes were shown, during which Farnborough came close to equalising from a free kick by Tom Bower, which went inches wide of the goal, and Bingham had his opportunity saved by Nasta.

From the resulting save, Arthur Nasta fired a long ball upfield, straight to late substitute Angelo Balanta, who stoked the ball home past Jack Turner to get his third goal of the season, but to guarantee those three points again for the Urchins and set sail to the top of the league table with four wins in four.

Full Time – Hornchurch 3-1 Farnborough

Attendance – 735