Mixed first week for Urchins

Three points out of six represented a reasonable haul for Hornchurch in the first week of the new Ryman Premier Division season.

But Urchins boss Jimmy McFarlane did not think it was a fair reflection of his side’s performances in their matches with Cray and Canvey.

Emphatic winners in south London on Sunday, Urchins were edged out on home turf in midweek and McFarlane said: “I was bitterly disappointed. We were by far the better side in both halves, but we missed a hatful of chances: an absolute hatful.

“If you make mistakes you get punished and two goalkeeping errors cost us the game.”

Darren Behcet misjudged a free-kick to allow Danny Heale to cancel out Elliot Styles’ opener, then let Rob King’s long-range effort get past him for the decider.

McFarlane added: “It was hard to see from where I was, but others said it went through his hands at a nice height.

“It’s a bitter pill getting beat, but it’s easier to swallow when you’re playing well and create chances.

“I was pleased with our performance, but I still think Canvey will be up there this season.

“They had a bit more possession than us, but they only had two shots in the second half and scored one. We had chance after chance and Elliot had a goal disallowed for handball, but Frankie (Curley) pulled his hand away from it.”

As for the 5-2 success at Cray, McFarlane said: “I would’ve taken 0-0 before so I was well pleased.

“I thought we had a very poor first half-hour, we allowed them to settle and never got going ourselves.

“We were fortunate to go in 2-1 up at half-time, but in the second half we looked a good side.

“We worked hard. There was no tactical genius from me, but we got our rewards.”