Bridge Avenue boss discusses new defensive signing and looks ahead to cup clash with Waltham Abbey
Even though Nathan Cooper is cup-tied for Hornchurch tonight (Tuesday), manager Jimmy McFarlane can’t contain his excitement about capturing the young defender.
The youngster completed a move to Urchins on Friday from Romford, but because he played in the Ryman League Cup on August 19 in Boro’s 3-0 defeat at home to East Thurrock, the defender can’t make his debut at Waltham Abbey this evening.
McFarlane takes a team to Capershotts to play their Ryman North rivals in the second round of the competition, but unfortunately Cooper won’t feature.
He is expected to be an astute signing for the Bridge Avenue club, however, after impressing the Hornchurch boss several times.
“Nathan is cup-tied for this one, but I am excited by him,” said McFarlane. “I thought he did well against us earlier in the season and I wondered did he do well or was it just because we were poor.
“But I watched him against Phoenix Sports last Wednesday and he was the best player on the park. I think we had to nip in quickly with Nathan.
“I know other clubs were looking at him, I think he will be a great addition to our squad and really boost us.”
Cooper wasn’t the only signing Hornchurch made last week as former Leyton Orient midfielder Harry Baker joined alongside forward Liam Burgess, from Cheshunt.
Baker made his debut during Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup triumph against Cambridge City, but Burgess remained on the bench.
Burgess will play tonight, though, as will Calvin Poku who scored five times in the previous round as Urchins thrashed Barkingside 9-0.
McFarlane added: “I will give more minutes to Calvin and others that haven’t featured too much, I will make no secret about that.
“There is no point having these boys if you aren’t going to play them when you have the opportunity.
“Liam Burgess will definitely play. Harry and Liam will be great additions. When we first started the season we were a little light on numbers.
“You could see that when Alex Bentley and Elliot Styles got injured, but we have added more strength in depth now.”
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