Urchins Bury rivals at Bridge Avenue

Hornchurch will face Lowestoft Town in the Ryman Premier play-off final after defeating Bury Town 3-1 at Bridge Avenue last night.

The visitors started brightly and saw John Sands head a great chance over from six yards as Jimmy McFarlane’s side struggled early on.

But Urchins weathered the early storm and Lewis Smith forced Bury keeper Marcus Garnham into three good saves before the half was out.

Bury created the first chance of the second half when Sam Reed struck the outside of a post.

But Urchins took a vital lead moments later when a corner was only half cleared to Smith and he rifled a low shot through the back of the net.

Martin Tuohy doubled the home side’s advantage five minutes later when he got on the end of Smith’s pinpoint delivery to sweep home his 31st goal of the campaign.

But Bury kept their hopes alive as they pulled one back through Billy Clark’s fine right footed drive from outside the area on 64 minutes.

Hornchurch made sure of victory after 72 minutes, though, as their front three combined to devastating effect.

Smith played in Tuohy, who in turn delivered the ball on a plate for Carl Rook to slide the ball home for his second goal in as many games.

Urchins will now prepare themselves for Lowestoft on Monday (3pm) after the Suffolk side saw off the challenge of Wealdstone with a stoppage-time penalty to come through 2-1 victors.