A Theo Fairweather-Johnson first-half hat-trick inspired Hornchurch to a comfortable 6-0 victory over Romford to earn them the Havering bragging rights at Ship Lane on Wednesday.

Romford Recorder: Theo Fairweather-Johnson of Hornchurch scores the fourth goal for his team to complete his hat-trick (Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo)Theo Fairweather-Johnson of Hornchurch scores the fourth goal for his team to complete his hat-trick (Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo) (Image: �TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Bradley Warner, Leon McKenzie and Christian Assombalonga also netted to help seal three points and extend their lead at the top of the Bostik North by 13 points, while Boro remain second from bottom.

But Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane admitted it was all about the three points and they had achieved what they set out to on the night.

“Three points, that’s what this game was all about,” he said. “We expected it to be a bit trickier than it was but at the end of the day, 1-0 or 6-0, you only get three points, and that’s what we come for.

“We’ve been threatening to do that to be fair and you do have those days. We had it against Mildenhall about six weeks ago, and everything you touch, comes off – that’s football.”

McFarlane also heaped praise on attacker Fairweather-Johnson after he netted a first-half treble.

“He could have had more if he’d stopped sliding,” he chuckled.

“He has been a great signing for us, as well as just the football side of it, you have to do the other side and get the right type of character and he’s a pleasure to be around.

“How you see him on the football field with a smile on his face that’s how he is around the changing room, so I’m really pleased for him.”

Romford manager Paul Martin wasn’t so happy and admitted his tactics didn’t work and they have to accept the defeat.

“We set a system out with five at the back to try and frustrate them,” he said.

“You shouldn’t be conceding four goals in the first 44 minutes with five at the back, but we did and sometimes you’ve got to just take them on the chin and move onto the next game.

“Everything they hit on target went in, but in the second half we had a lot more character. Yes they took their foot off the pedal, but I did think we worked a lot harder.

“Those results you’ve got to take on the chin. Hats off to Hornchurch, they’re top of the league for a reason.”