Report
By Bailey Howard
A Henry Hearn double and a late goal from substitute Angelo Balanta sealed all three points for Hornchurch, as the Urchins defeated Chippenham Town 3-0 to extend their unbeaten run to six and keep track of top spot in the Enterprise National League South.
After Monday’s 3-3 draw at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium vs Salisbury, Daryl McMahon made two changes to the team, giving a debut start to Henry Sandat and a return to the Bridge for Makai Welch, replacing Angelo Balanta and Myles Weston.
The game began with early chances falling to both sides. In the Tenth minute, the visitors nearly took the lead when a corner was headed back across goal by Bradbury, only for Wanjau-Smith to turn the ball wide. Hornchurch responded well, with Josh Rees testing the Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Will Henry on Twelve minutes, following a clever move.
Henry Hearn looked dangerous throughout the opening exchanges and was denied in the eighteenth minute after capitalising on a defensive error, but just a minute later, Hornchurch’s pressure paid off. Josh Rees slid a perfectly weighted ball into Hearn’s path, and the forward made no mistake—slotting confidently past the keeper to open the scoring, 1-0 Hornchurch.
The Urchins grew in confidence following the goal, and Will Greenidge saw his twenty-fourth minute effort flash just wide, and Henry Hearn forced another fine save from Henry minutes later after a well-struck shot from the edge of the box. Charlie Adams and Owen-Evans also tried their luck for either side before half-time, whilst debut new signing Henry Sandat’s header from a Charlie Adams corner was brilliantly kept out.
But Hornchurch weren’t to be denied. From the resulting corner, a goalmouth scramble ensued, and Henry Hearn was on hand once again to finish smartly from close range, doubling his tally to send Hornchurch into the break 2–0 up.
Half Time – Hornchurch 2-0 Chippenham
The second half began, and Hornchurch maintained control, though the visitors did threaten on occasions, and Arthur Nasta was called into action to hold a well-hit free kick from Chippenham Town in the fiftieth minute, and another effort was safely gathered by Nasta ten minutes later.
At the other end, though, Henry Hearn nearly completed his hat-trick after combining well with Henry Sandat and was only to see his effort crash against the bar, which Josh Rees fired the rebound wide, keeping the score at 2–0.
Managerial changes were followed to keep the momentum going, with Daryl McMahon making changes with Harry Brooke, Sean Scannell, Myles Weston, Angelo Balanta and Gile Phillips to enter the frame.
The final words came in stoppage time, six minutes were added, and in the ninety-third minute, Sean Scannell showed dazzling footwork on the wing before delivering a pinpoint cross to Balanta, who beat the keeper with a composed finish to seal the victory in style, 3-0 Hornchurch.
The full-time whistle was blown minutes later. It was a professional and impressive display from Hornchurch, who remain unbeaten in six and now face Dorking at home on Tuesday night.
Full Time – Hornchurch 3-0 Chippenham
Attendance – 934
Line Ups
1 – Nasta
2 – Greenidge
3 – Hare
4 – Adams
5 – Gibbs
7 – Rees (C)
9 – Hearn
14 – Pegrum
19 – Welch
22 – Kuffour
23 – Sandat
Subs
13 – Byrne
10 – Balanta (64′ on for Welch)
11 – Weston (64′ on for Sandat)
15 – Phillips (89′ on for Hearn)
16 – Ruff
18 – Brooke (79′ on for Adams)
20 – Scannell (75′ on for Pegrum)
Match Stats
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Highlights
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