McFarlane sounds rallying call after duo depart

Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane has said he only wants players “who want to be at the club” after seeing Paul Goodacre and Andy Tomlinson leave on the eve of two of their biggest games of the season.

Urchins go into the home game with Bath tomorrow (Saturday), their only match at Bridge Avenue this month, with just Truro below them in the Conference South table.

McFarlane’s men let a lead slip in their 1-1 draw at Farnborough last weekend, before Essex rivals Billericay won in midweek to climb above them.

Urchins face an Essex derby against promotion hopefuls Chelmsford on Monday, but are now without Goodacre and Tomlinson after they left for personal reasons.

McFarlane said: “Paul and ‘Tommo’ have decided to leave which is entirely up to them and of course I am disappointed.

“But I want players that want to be at the club and play for the club. They have to be prepared to fight for the club.

“James Love came on last Saturday at Farnborough when Reiss Noel was injured and was superb. Those are the type of people I want in my team.”

Urchins welcomed Kieron St Aimie back to the club last weekend, after Leon McKenzie left to join Ryman Premier Division Concord.

And McFarlane had nothing but praise for his departed striker, adding: “I had three managers telling me not to sign him when I did because he would cause problems, but I have nothing but positives to say about the lad.

“But I have got to try and freshen things up to help us out of the situation we are in.”