McFarlane in call to arms for FA Cup tie

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane believes his side’s FA Cup first qualifying round replay against East Thurrock tomorrow (Tuesday) is the club’s most important game of the season.

Urchins earned a second chance thanks to Carl Rook’s equaliser in the 77th minute on Saturday after Rocks had taken the lead with a controversial penalty.

McFarlane said: “I know more than most what it means to have a cup run and I stressed that to the players beforehand.

“It’s a lifeline for a lot of clubs at our level so Tuesday will be our most important game of the season.”

Hornchurch boss McFarlane had declared himself happy with his side’s 1-1 draw at the weekend, despite disappointment in the overall performance.

He added: “I’m happy that we are still in the hat but that’s where the happiness ends unfortunately because I just thought we never got going.

“I thought East Thurrock totally dominated the first half, but we had the best chance of the half.

“Second half I thought we controlled most of it, but we never really had that cutting edge, our passing was woeful and we became very predictable.”

East Thurrock went in front from the spot after Hornchurch captain Elliot Styles brought down striker David Bryant in the area and McFarlane had no complaints about the decision.

“I thought it was a stonewall penalty,” he said.

“Elliot got caught on the wrong side and any challenge in the box is dangerous.”

Immediately after the goal, McFarlane brought on Rook to test the visiting defenders and the boss was delighted with his impact.

“I don’t think it is a knock on George (Purcell) because he came off with an injury, but it was Rooky’s type of game.

“We was hitting long balls, which we haven’t done all year, and if you’re going to hit long ball, you might as well play with a big bloke up there to get on the end of the them, so that was the difference,” added McFarlane, who refused to discuss any possible changes to his team for the trip to Rookery Hill for the third meeting between the clubs in 10 days.