McFarlane reflects on four points earned

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane was in philosophical mood after seeing his side claim four out of six points in the Ryman Premier Division over Easter.

Two late goals from Martin Tuohy earned Urchins a 2-1 win at Tooting on Good Friday, setting up a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash with Billericay.

A crowd of 1,095 squeezed into Bridge Avenue on Monday, but the match ended in a goalless draw to leave Urchins still two points adrift of the leaders with only three games remaining.

McFarlane said: “We were totally in control at Tooting, but they scored from their first attack as we pushed forward.

“I always felt we’d score, but it was a bit too late for comfort.

“It set it up nicely for Monday, but you see games on TV between first and second-placed teams who cancel each other out.

“They’re top of the league because they deserve to be. To win those games you need the majority of your players to have their best games of the season, but I don’t think we really turned up.

“We never got going and we had a feeling of being beat after a 0-0.

“It wasn’t for the want of trying, but things didn’t come off.”

Joe Anderson twice headed off the line to deny Billericay’s Glenn Poole and Emeka Onwubiko in the final 10 minutes and Urchins now head to Wealdstone on Saturday, as Billericay host East Thurrock.

McFarlane added: “If you’d said in July we would be second at Easter, I’d have snatched your arm off.

“Monday’s result wasn’t the reason we didn’t go top. We’ve taken four points off the leaders without conceding.

“Other games, like Hastings and Horsham, are the ones that have cost us dearly.”