Romford ready for derby battle

Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane says his side should be confident of closing the gap at the top of the Ryman Premier Division table tonight.

Urchins host lowly Hastings at Bridge Avenue in one of their games in hand on leaders Billericay.

And following their 2-0 win over rivals Concord at the weekend, McFarlane is backing his men to maintain their fine form.

He said: “If we’re not confident tonight, then we never will be.

“If we win against Hastings we go level on points with Billericay.”

Lewis Smith returns from suspension tonight, but Reiss Noel misses out with a slight knock.

McFarlane added: “We’ve had players out suspended recently and still kept clean sheets and won games.

“Lewis is back, but we’ve got a strong squad and he’s got to wait for his chance.

“I’m sure he’ll take it when he gets it, but nobody is guaranteed a start at the moment.

“It makes a change from when we had to scrimp a squad together and include under-18s, but it’s looking good at the moment.

“We’ve just got to keep doing it and keep our feet on the ground.”

Romford make the short trip up the A12 to take on rivals Brentwood in Division One North.

And Boro go into their derby battle on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Waltham Forest at the weekend.

Chris Sullivan opened his account for the club, with Kurt Smith also on target before Abs Seymour was sent off late on.