Praise for matchwinner Smith

Jimmy McFarlane paid tribute to young Hornchurch striker Lewis Smith after his matchwinning goal at Hastings.

Smith ran from deep to fire past Clark Masters just past the hour as Urchins made it two league wins in four days and climbed up to eighth.

“It was a fantastic goal by Lewis,” said McFarlane. “I was thinking ‘release it, release it’ but he kept going, cut inside and it was a great finish.

“It was as comfy a 1-0 as you’ll see. We should’ve been 2-0 or 3-0 up at half-time and Darren [Behcet] hasn’t had a save to make.

“We were defensively sound. The back four didn’t give them a chance and I think they’re a fair side.

“We didn’t start as I would’ve liked, but we got stronger and stronger,” added McFarlane.

“It’s a massive pitch and our front two worked so hard, they didn’t have a run left in them at the end. They look like a good pairing.”