By Bailey Howard

Hornchurch put on a commanding  performance on Tuesday night, comfortably defeating Hemel Hempstead 4-0 at Vauxhall Road to climb back to winning ways and reclaim top spot in the Enterprise National League South table. 

A superb first-half display saw the Urchins dominate from the outset, with Angelo Balanta and Darren McQueen among the standout performers in what was a professional and efficient team performance.

Following Saturday’s 5-0 thumping on the Sussex Coast against Worthing , Daryl McMahon made four changes with Gile Philips, Myles Weston, Charlie Ruff and Darren McQueen all being brought into the starting eleven. 

The game started with a lively tempo, as both teams looked to settle into the contest. However, it was Hornchurch who struck first with a stunning opening goal. On just two minutes, Angelo Balanta picked up a through ball and unleashed an audacious volley from 25 yards that left Hemel goalkeeper Micheal Johnson with no chance, giving the Urchins an early 1-0 lead, 1-0 Hornchurch. 

Hemel tried to respond, with Darion Dowrich having a decent effort saved by Hornchurch’s Arthur Nasta in the sixth minute, and Kyran Wiltshire also testing Nasta shortly after. 

However, the visitors remained dangerous, and by the thirteenth minute, Hornchurch doubled their lead. A corner from the left was flicked on and fell kindly to Balanta, who made no mistake, tapping home from close range to double  his goal tally in the game, 2-0 Hornchurch. 

The Urchins continued to press and extended their advantage further in the twenty-sixth minute. With Balanta, again instrumental, embarked on a powerful run down the right before delivering a perfect cross for Darren McQueen, who side-footed the ball home with precision past Johnson, 3-0 Hornchurch. 

As the half wore on, Hemel struggled to create clear-cut chances. Gile Phillips picked up a yellow card for a foul on George Williams, and despite a couple of dangerous set-piece deliveries, Nasta was equal to everything Hemel threw at him. 

At the other end, Hornchurch continued to look for more goals, but Johnson made a few good saves to keep the scoreline at 3-0 heading into the break.

Half-Time: Hemel Hempstead 0-3 Hornchurch

After the break, Hemel came out with a renewed sense of urgency, but were unable to break down Hornchurch’s well-organised defence. 

Then Hornchurch came close twice themselves, a chance for Phillips from an Aaron Henry free-kick went just wide, and soon after Myles Weston seeing his effort being well saved by Johnson.

Minutes later, Hornchurch put the game beyond doubt in the fifty-second minute. Tom Wraight delivered a pinpoint corner to Harry Gibbs, who powered the ball into the net with a bullet header past Johnson to make it four and complete what had been a thoroughly professional display by the visitors, 4-0 Hornchurch. 

With the game effectively over as a contest, Daryl McMahon made a series of substitutions in the fifty-eighth minute, bringing on Henry Sandat, Charlie Pregrum, Makai Welch, and Josh Rees. 

Despite Hemel’s efforts trying to grab a consolation, they couldn’t break down Hornchurch’s defence, with Nasta making a strong save from an effort by Wilkinson in the seventy-second minute.

As the game neared its conclusion, Charlie Ruff made an audacious run into the box, but dragged his chance wide in the eighty-first minute, and in the final stages, Hemel had a scramble away in the box, but Makai Welch fired wide, keeping the scoreline firmly in Hornchurch’s favor.

There was still time though for a final opportunity for Hornchurch’s Josh Rees, who latched onto a lovely through ball from Ruff, but steered his effort wide in the stoppage time and the referee blew his whistle. 

Hornchurch’s commanding 4-0 win not only saw them return to the top of the league, but also showcased their resilience and clinical finishing. 

An impressive result from Daryl McMahon’s men, who are now firmly back meaning business with Balanta in superb form and the team looking well-balanced all over the pitch, the Urchins will head into their next fixture on Saturday with a trip to Maidenhead United, with renewed confidence.

Full-Time – Hemel Hempstead 0-4 Hornchurch
Enterprise National League South
Tuesday 2nd December 2025 | Vauxhall Road
Attendance: 415