By Bailey Howard

Hornchurch extended their unbeaten league run to eighteen games and maintained their position at the top of the National League South table with a sluggish performance, after Saturday’s long-distance travelling, and was held to a 1-1 draw by Chesham United at Bridge Avenue.

Following Saturday’s excellent 2-1 victory away at Torquay United, manager Daryl McMahon made two changes to his starting line-up with new signing George Wind, who joined on loan from Southend United on matchday, making his debut in place of Josh Hare, while Darren McQueen returned to the starting eleven as Myles Weston was dropped to the bench.

The game was underway, and the visitors made a bright start, forcing a couple of early corners which caused problems inside the Hornchurch penalty area, but neither Mitchell Weiss nor Alfie Young could capitalise.

Hornchurch soon found their rhythm, and Tom Wraight went close on nineteen minutes, when his volley from the edge of the area just cleared the crossbar.

At the other end, though, minutes later, Samson Esan tested Arthur Nasta, who gathered the ball comfortably, before Tom Wraight once again threatened with a teasing delivery that Henry Hearn headed narrowly wide.

The Urchins looked the more likely to break the deadlock as half-time approached, with Hearn and McQueen both denied by Ben Goode after swift counter-attacks.

But just before the interval, Hornchurch were awarded a penalty in stoppage time as Henry Hearn was brought down inside the area. The 21-year-old striker stepped up himself, but Goode produced an outstanding diving save low to his left to keep the scores level heading into half-time.

Half-Time – Hornchurch 0-0 Chesham United

The second half began frustratingly for the Urchin as Chesham took the lead at fifty-one minutes. Hornchurch were unable to clear a corner effectively, and Gion Rasulo reacted quickest to poke home from close range and give the visitors the advantage, 1-0 Chesham.

McMahon responded to the goal with a series of changes, introducing Nathan Cooper for debutant George Wind, before later bringing on Charlie Ruff, Henry Sandat, and Myles Weston in place of McQueen, Angelo Balanta, and Luca Welch to inject fresh attacking impetus.

The Urchins continued to press the defence of Chesham and Tom Wraight’s corner shortly after the hour mark, found Harry Gibbs, whose header was straight at Goode.

Minutes later, Substitute Henry Sandat then went close, but sent a powerful low effort just wide of the post.

In the eighty-first minute, Hornchurch’s persistence was finally rewarded as a sensational, superb cross from Urchins defender Harry Gibbs on the right was directly met perfectly by Henry Hearn, who guided a power-glancing header into the far corner beyond Goode and the Chesham defence to level the scores to give the Hornchurch faithful something to cheer about, 1-1 Hornchurch.

The hosts then pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, with Henry Hearn seeing another header, this time being saved by Goode, and Tom Wraight firing narrowly inches wide across the goal, but despite five minutes of added time, the Urchins were forced to settle for a point.

The draw against Buckinghamshire side Chesham United ensures Hornchurch remain top of the National League South table, while also stretching their unbeaten league run to eighteen matches, and McMahon’s side are back in action on Saturday, travelling to Kent to face Tonbridge Angels, as we look to continue our excellent start to the season.

Full-Time – Hornchurch 1-1 Chesham United
Enterprise National League South
Tuesday 4th November 2025 | Bridge Avenue
Attendance: 604

Match Stats

For statistics from the match, please visit here.