BY BAILEY HOWARD
Hornchurch’s remarkable unbeaten nineteen league run came to an abrupt end on Monday night, as the league leaders fell to a 2–0 defeat away from home to a fired-up to Angelo Harrop’s Chelmsford City at the Dunmow Group Community Stadium.
Two early goals inside the opening twenty minutes from Jason Adigun and Lyle Taylor proved decisive as the Clarets made a blistering start that the Urchins were ultimately unable to recover from. Despite a spirited response on either side of half-time, Daryl McMahon’s men were left to rue missed chances as their nineteen-game unbeaten run in the league came to a disappointing conclusion.
Following Saturday’s hard-fought 1–0 win at Tonbridge Angels, Daryl McMahon made two changes again to his starting eleven, with George Wind and Myles Weston entering the side, replacing Nathan Betram-Cooper and Henry Sandat.
The game got underway, and it was the hosts who began brightest, pressing high, which forced Hornchurch onto the back foot, and the deadlock was broken in nine minutes. Clarets midfielder Jason Adigun pounced on a defensive lapse to dispossess Harry Gibbs on the edge of the area before showing composure to slot low past Arthur Nasta and into the net, 1–0 Chelmsford.
Nine minutes later, Chelmsford continued to press, and it paid off as they spectacularly doubled their advantage after a long drop-kick from goalkeeper Chris Haigh was expertly controlled by Lyle Taylor, who shrugged off his marker before calmly finishing into the bottom corner past Nasta, 2-0 Chelmsford.
The Urchins, who were stunned by the host’s early energy, began to find their feet midway through the first half. Angelo Balanta had a low strike flash straight just wide of the goal, while Tom Wraight and Gibbs both went close from set pieces, and Charlie Pegrum saw his effort across the face of the goal but was just beyond Henry Hearn as Hornchurch sought a way back into the contest.
At the other end, Chelmsford captain Dom Odusanya was unlucky not to make it three when his header from a corner rattled the crossbar, and Harry Barbrook’s dangerous cross was headed just the right side of the post and cleared by Makai Welch.
As the interval approached, the visitors looked the more likely to score, with another few chances, this time for Josh Rees, but the opportunity dragged wide of goal and a great chance for Wraight but was headed wide, with Balanta once again threatening too, but the Clarets’ defence held firm to preserve their two-goal cushion at the break.
Half-Time – Chelmsford City 2–0 Hornchurch
Just before the restart, Urchins’ Boss Daryl McMahon introduced Ex-Chelmsford forward Charlie Ruff and defender Nathan Bertram-Cooper in place of George Wind and Myles Weston.
The second half kicked off, and the Urchins emerged with renewed intent, dominating possession and territory but struggling to carve out clear opportunities against a well-drilled Chelmsford back line. Angelo Balanta and Tom Wraight both saw their efforts sail over the bar, Pegrum’s chance hooked over the bar, while Nasta was called upon just once in the second half to deny Taylor at the other end.
McMahon introduced fresh legs in attack, with Henry Sandat and Darren McQueen coming on to chase the game, yet despite plenty of endeavour, Hornchurch couldn’t find a breakthrough. The hosts defended with discipline and organisation, frustrating the league leaders and seeing the game out with relative comfort.
When the final whistle blew, it confirmed Hornchurch’s first league defeat of the season, a rare off-night in what has otherwise been an outstanding campaign so far.
The Urchins remain top of the National League South table and sit six points clear, though their lead has now been trimmed as the chasing pack closes in. McMahon’s side will now look to regroup quickly as they return away from home this weekend in FA Trophy Action to face Isthmian Premier League Brentwood.
Full-Time – Chelmsford 2-0 Hornchurch
Enterprise National League South
Monday 10th November 2025 | Dunmow Group Community Stadium
Attendance: 1,657
