Our guide to the weekend’s fixtures

Romford Recorder: Romford's Paul Clayton goes on the attack against Ware (George Phillipou/TGS)Romford's Paul Clayton goes on the attack against Ware (George Phillipou/TGS) (Image: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Footbal...)

Conference South

Chelmsford v Hornchurch

Urchins will head to Melbourne Park buoyed by their 2-2 draw with table-topping Salisbury last weekend.

Martin Tuohy’s brace of penalties, including a last-minute effort, helped Jimmy McFarlane’s men to a valuable point as they aim to keep distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

They succumbed to a pair of Anthony Cook goals, either side of the break, when City visited Bridge Avenue in late October, in the midst of a five-game losing streak.

But the Clarets have gone three games without a win, following their league defeat at Maidenhead and Essex Senior Cup exit on penalties at Concord with a 3-0 FA Trophy reverse at Halifax last weekend.

And it is almost five years since that unforgettable Urchins triumph, when the two sides were battling it out in the Ryman Premier Division.

Michael Brothers gave Hornchurch a first-half lead in February 2008 and, after Ollie Berquez was sent off for kicking out at Elliot Styles, striker Simon Parker netted either side of a Frankie Curley goal to seal a 4-0 success.

Chairman Colin McBride, serving a six-game touchline ban as first-team manager at the time, said: “A day like that is right up there with all our great results at Purfleet and Thurrock.

“It was a great performance and we made them look a lot less like a team that is 15 points clear at the top.”

For the record, the Hornchurch team that day was: Brightly, Barnard, Glozier, Purdie (Mackie 83), Goddard, Styles, Curley, Richards (Green 72), Parker (Wall 84), Brothers, Tomlinson.

Ryman Division 1N

Soham Town v Romford

Boro recorded only their second win in 10 outings against lowly Ware last weekend.

Nick Reynold’s first-half brace, either side of a sublime Matt Toms half-volley, took his tally for the season to 10 to leave Paul Martin’s men comfortably at top at the interval.

And, after Ware hit back on 70 minutes, captain Jack Barry rounded off a 4-1 win with his second goal in two matches, since being pushed into a midfield role.

Boro’s midweek trip to Waltham Abbey was postponed, but they will hope to head to Soham, looking to set the record straight after their 3-2 defeat at Ship Lane earlier this season.

First-half goals from Paul Clayton and Reynolds put Boro two goals up at the break that day.

But Rangers rallied after the restart, with Robbie Mason’s deflected effort beating Michael Gooch, before Matthew Robinson’s shot also got some help to pass the Boro keeper.

Robinson converted a low cross to complete the turnaround and a last-minute Luke Stanley goal led Soham to a 3-2 win at Cheshunt last weekend, taking their tally for the season to 60.

Soham are the second-highest scorers in the division behind Heybridge (67), whose total has been significantly enhanced by the 19 goals they have put past hapless Redbridge in their two encounters.

But Boro have produced some fine performances on the road over the past few seasons – Sudbury, Needham Market and Harlow instantly spring to mind – and could do with another to keep their play-off dreams alive.