McFarlane: We could upset Stones

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane insists his team will not be parking the bus when they visit Gallagher Stadium to face Ryman Premier leaders Maidstone United.

Urchins face a Stones side that have recorded 11 league wins at home this season and are yet to taste defeat in front of their own fans in the league.

But the Bridge Avenue manager is optimistic his team can achieve a positive result tomorrow (Saturday).

“Records are there to be broken, so let’s hope we can end Maidstone’s on Saturday,” said McFarlane.

“Someone asked me if I will park the bus this weekend and I said no chance!

“That is not my style. We will go there and have a go. If everyone gives a seven out of 10 performance then we will have a chance.”

Maidstone boosted their forward options with the signing of former Billericay Town forward Billy Bricknell yesterday (Thursday).

McFarlane admitted Hornchurch were interested in the striker after he was released by Ebbsfleet United, but conceded they couldn’t compete with what the Stones were offering him.

He added: “They have just signed another forward as well. We spoke to Billy ourselves, but it shows what you can do with the sort of money teams are throwing around.

“We didn’t even get as far as the negotiating with Billy, he said he was speaking to Maidstone, Margate, Bromley and a few other teams.

“It is a different level for us and long gone are the days when we could compete with that sort of money.”

McFarlane also believes his team will face the future Ryman Premier Division champions at Gallagher Stadium, adding: “I tipped Maidstone to win the league this season.

“I didn’t fancy Margate because they are assembling a new side. They are signing players that haven’t played at this level before and this is a hard league to win and I have been proven right so far.”