By Bailey Howard
Hornchurch produced a never-say-die display at Bridge Avenue on Saturday afternoon, striking deep into stoppage time to earn a thrilling 2–2 draw with Enfield Town and ensure they remained top of the National League South at Christmas.
In front of a lively crowd, the Urchins were forced to dig deep against an Enfield side who dominated for long spells, particularly in the first half. Despite adversity, including playing over twenty minutes with ten men, Daryl McMahon’s side showed resilience, belief and quality to claim a point that felt every bit like a victory at the final whistle.
Daryl McMahon made an unchanged starting eleven from last weekend’s FA Trophy 4-1 win at Dover.
The game got underway and the visitors started on the front foot and almost took an early lead inside two minutes, an Enfield effort drifting narrowly past Arthur Nasta’s post.
The warning went unheeded and on nine minutes Enfield broke the deadlock, Sam Youngs firing an excellent strike into the top left-hand corner past Nasta, 1-0 Enfield.
Enfield continued to apply heavy pressure, Lamar Reynolds clearing the bar on sixteen minutes before Nino Adom-Malaki went close just before the half-hour mark, his effort deflecting over.
Hornchurch struggled to gain momentum as Enfield dictated the tempo, though Harry Gibbs forced a save with the Urchins’ first real chance on thirty-two minutes.
Moments later, Angelo Balanta was inches away from an equaliser as his effort crashed back off the post, but the visitors remained dangerous as Reynolds was again denied, this time by a superb block from Giles Phillips.
Just before the break, Junior Morias saw a late first-half effort deflected wide and Hornchurch went into the break trailing but still very much in the contest.
Half-Time – Hornchurch 0–1 Enfield Town
The second half got underway and the Urchins emerged with renewed intent after the interval as Aaron Henry saw an initial effort blocked before blazing the rebound over, while Josh Rees and Balanta both went close as Hornchurch searched for an equaliser.
McMahon made a double change on the hour, introducing Myles Weston and Henry Sandat, a decision that would prove pivotal later on.
However, Hornchurch’s task became tougher on sixty-nine minutes when Josh Hare was shown a second yellow card, reducing the Urchins to ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Hornchurch refused to fold. A flurry of blocked shots showed their growing belief, and on seventy-six minutes Bridge Avenue erupted. A well-worked move down the right ended with the ball into the box, where Sandat reacted quickest to turn home the equaliser, 1–1 Hornchurch.
Later on, Enfield responded with chances and then reclaimed the lead on eighty-five minutes, Oliver Davis slotting calmly past Nasta into the bottom corner, 2–1 Enfield.
But the Urchins had one final twist left. With five minutes of added time announced, Hornchurch pushed everyone forward and in the second minute of stoppage time, Weston delivered a pinpoint free-kick into the area and Sandat rose to the moment, firing home from close range to spark wild celebrations and secure a priceless point, 2-2 Hornchurch.
The final whistle was blown minutes later and confirmed a dramatic draw that summed up Hornchurch’s character and determination, with the reward being top spot in the league as we head into Christmas.
- Full-Time – Hornchurch 2–2 Enfield Town
- Enterprise National League South
- Saturday 20th December 2025, Bridge Avenue
- Attendance: 1,100
