Hornchurch ready for rivals Concord

Romford boss Paul Martin is hoping to avoid another rollercoaster of emotions as his side visit Southend Manor in the FA Cup tomorrow (Saturday).

Boro extended their unbeaten run to six games with Ryman One North success at Waltham Abbey in midweek, after a weekend draw with Cheshunt.

But they put their manager through the mill before completing a 5-4 victory.

“I’ve been watching games all season and no-one is shutting up shop,” said Martin.

“It’s good for the fans, but not us managers.

“We’ve got to concentrate on not making mistakes. It’s not the easiest of draws but it is a winnable tie. It’s not like they’re from the league above.

“We’re not taking anything for granted, though. Southend Manor are top of their league, like Royston were top of theirs, and we’ve got to go and do a job.

“It’s not the greatest of places to go, especially if it’s windy as it’s wide open and anything can happen in the cup.

“The prize money is a big thing for us, though. Without a main sponsor this season, we’re struggling a bit and we want to try and generate as much money for the club as possible.

“Hopefully we can go and do a job, win the three grand, and then we can concentrate on our next league game against Needham Market.

“We seem to up our game against teams at the top and I’ve every belief we can upset teams.”

Hornchurch welcome fierce rivals Concord to Bridge Avenue, meanwhile, on the back of three successive wins.

Urchins thumped Tooting 6-0 at the weekend, then edged past Aveley 3-2 in midweek, to climb to seventh in the Ryman Premier Division.

Concord are still without a win in seven league games, but Jimmy McFarlane is on his guard.

He said: “It’s early in the season still. I’m sure they will be up there.

“I’d rather be going to an intermediate side at this early stage. Concord are in our league, they’re a good side and it’s a derby which is always tough.

“It worries me when players know one another too. When we (Thurrock) used to play Dagenham, Colin (McBride) would ban us from talking to them before the game.

“It’s hard to do that now, but it used to work. We had the voodoo sign over them!

“But I’ve got a good bunch of lads who will be focused and ready and our confidence should be high.”