McFarlane: We must take chances

Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane has urged his side to stop trying to score the perfect goal and start winning ugly.

Urchins created plenty of chances against Conference South rivals Dover at Bridge Avenue, but were unable to find a way past Mitch Walker and slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

They visit Essex rivals Billericay today and McFarlane said: “We just didn’t get the ball in the box enough, I thought we controlled 75 per cent of that game, and their manager said they were lucky to be in it at half-time.

“But if you don’t take your chances you don’t win matches and we have just got in the habit of trying to score the perfect goal.

“At times you have got to take an ugly 1-0 win, there are positives but you can only take so many from defeats.

“There is a fine line between being unlucky and not good enough. We have played three games now, played well and only got one point.

“As a manager you would rather win ugly than lose pretty and that is what we have got to get used to doing.”

McFarlane has brought striker Juan Onieva into his squad after a recent trial and was hoping to add another new face before the trip to New Lodge.

But those moves have led to the release of cultured midfield Jonathan Hunt and, though it was a hard decision, McFarlane admits it was one he had to make.

“I just feel the pace and tempo of the game at this level and what I want to do formation wise, Jon doesn’t figure in the starting XI and I just don’t see him as a great sub,” he said.

“I think he is plenty good enough to still play and he’ll be a great asset wherever he goes but there are a couple of things I think we need and I have to release finds to bring them people in and unfortunate for Jon, it was him.

“It was a tough decision, and one of the toughest I have had to make but it had to be made.”

A Tommy Black goal gave Urchins victory at Billericay last season, before both clubs clinched promotion.

But McFarlane added: “Last year the Billericay games were tough, and this year they just become one a number of tough games.

“We’ll wait and see whether people have picked up a few knocks but I have a new player waiting to come in and see me now. Whatever side I put out I expect them to do well.”

*Romford will hope to end their three-game losing start to the season when they visit Ilford.

Following successive Ryman Division One North defeats against Redbridge and Thamesmead, Boro were dumped out of the FA Cup by Waltham Forest on Friday night.

Paul Martin’s men visit the Foxes at Cricklefield Stadium today.