Urchins look to get over Boxing Day disappointment

Hornchurch will look to bounce back from a controversial Boxing Day defeat when they host Billericay tomorrow (Saturday).

Urchins slipped to a 3-0 home loss against Conference South rivals Welling in midweek, after Lewis Smith was sent off by referee Lloyd Wood for two bookable offences.

And manager Jimmy McFarlane felt the wrong person took centre stage, saying: “Before the game I spoke to Colin (McBride) and he said the referee was fine.

“But as soon as I saw him I said to Colin ‘he’s no good and I know what to expect’.

“I hate clich�s, but everything was about him.”

Elliot Styles was forced off due to injury at half-time and was set to face a fitness test last night (Thursday).

After welcoming Billericay to Bridge Avenue, Urchins face a quick return meeting at Welling on New Year’s Day.

McFarlane added: “Elliott is the only injury doubt, so we are looking okay on that front.

“We won’t know until we assess him at training but it is good to have Paul Goodacre back. He’s fit, fresh and ready to go again which is a massive boost.

“Christmas is always a tough period and it always throws up local derbies as well. They are games you relish as a player and as a manager we have the opportunity to go again.

“They are all tough. If we can work on our marking and cut out the errors we made (on Boxing Day) hopefully we can turn it around.”

Christmas has proved a frustrating time for Romford boss Paul Martin, who has seen Ryman Division One North matches against Wroxham and Tilbury postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Boro, beaten 1-0 at Witham in their last outing on December 15, have a blank Saturday tomorrow, but are due to take on Grays at their former Rush Green home on Wednesday (7.45pm).