Urchins visit Canvey Island in Isthmian Charity Shield on Saturday

Hornchurch are hoping their next week of pre-season proves to be a memorable one as they look to claim their first silverware of the term and get the better of Arsenal!

Tuesday sees Urchins welcome Arsenal under-23s to their Bridge Avenue home for a pre-season friendly.

Before all that on Saturday, though, Jimmy McFarlane’s men head for Bostik North outfit Canvey Island to decide the winner of this season’s Isthmian Charity Shield.

Lifting a trophy so early in the campaign would give Hornchurch added belief ahead of the new Bostik Premier season.

Assistant manager Colin McBride believes it will be a good game against the Gulls, but is worried about the impact the current heatwave might have on the fixture.

“Because the match is for a trophy, it’s being played under normal league conditions so we can only name five substitutes and only bring three on,” said McBride.

“At this stage in pre-season, we would ideally like to get more than 14 on, especially with the weather at the minute, but that’s something we’ll just have to deal with.

“Hopefully the breeze rolls in from the sea at Canvey and it’s a little cooler, but it’s a shame that a few players won’t get any minutes this weekend.”

Following the trip to Canvey, Hornchurch can look forward to a glamour tie at home to Arsenal under-23s on Tuesday.

Managed by former Sweden international Freddie Ljungberg, the young Gunners will offer a stern test of Urchins’ fitness ahead.

And McBride explained how the fixture at Bridge Avenue on Tuesday came about in the first place, adding: “Their goalkeeping coach (Andy Woodman) played under me at Thurrock and got in contact saying the under-23s were looking to get out into the community a bit more.

“The game isn’t just going to be great for Hornchurch fans, it will hopefully be great for the local area. They have players in their team that are top drawer and are all youth internationals, but hopefully we might even get a first-team player trying to catch up on fitness playing in the game on Tuesday.”