McFarlane reflects on Urchins success

Urchins boss Jimmy McFarlane was glad to see his side get a friendly run out against Ryman One North side Grays on Saturday.

Lewis Smith and James Love both went close to breaking the deadlock before Leon McKenzie put the Conference South club ahead on the stroke of half-time.

McKenzie made it 2-0 midway through the second half, converting Smith’s cross from the right before making way for Joe Wright.

And Tambeson Eyong ran on to Frankie Curley’s header to net a third in the last minute.

McFarlane said: “It was a great workout for us.

“It gave us an opportunity to give some minutes to those who haven’t played much lately and a chance to look at others.

“Andy Tomlinson, Elliot Styles and Reiss Noel all got 90 minutes and all came through it injury free.

“And they were good goals from Leon, to be fair. He is is a good run of form and long may it continue.”

As for those hoping to make an impression on McFarlane and force their way into his squad on a regular basis, he added: “One had been training with us for a few weeks and this was our first chance to look at him in a match scenario.

“You have to have a look at them and have a gamble, but the trialists were not better than what we’ve got.”

Urchins are due to return to competitive action with an Essex Senior Cup tie at Canvey tomorrow (Tuesday).

But McFarlane was not holding out too much hope of the game going ahead.

He said: “I’ve always taken the competition seriously, as a player and a manager.

“Canvey are a bit of a bogey side, we never seem to do really well there but that has to change some time.

“It must be doubtful, though, with all the rain we have had and more to come tomorrow.”