Tuohy on target in return

Hornchurch returned from a three-week lay-off to beat Ryman Premier Division rivals Lewes at Bridge Avenue.

Leading scorer Martin Tuohy netted the only goal of the game, his 20th of the season, as Urchins kept pace with table-topping Billericay.

Jimmy McFarlane’s men had seen matches against Hastings, Carshalton and Margate fall victim to frozen and waterlogged pitches during the recent cold snap and subsequent thaw and gave debuts to recent signings Leon McKenzie and Fola Orilonishe.

But it was Tuohy, back from a three-game suspension, who proved the matchwinner as he seized upon a poor back pass in the 32nd minute to round keeper Pawel Szelemej and slot into the empty net and secure all three points.

Urchins remain five points behind Billericay, with two games in hand, and host Kingstonian next Saturday.

The news was not so good for Romford, however, in Division One North.

Having not played since their 1-0 loss at Ware three weeks earlier, Boro slumped to a 4-0 home defeat against Potters Bar at Mill Field.

Paul Martin’s men will look to bounce back when they visit lowly Ilford on Wednesday, which is the 20th anniversary of the meeting held at Romford Ice Rink to reform the club.