Tuohy to miss Grimsby trip; Smith awaits fate

Hornchurch could be without their 30-goal strike partnership of Martin Tuohy and Lewis Smith for their big FA Trophy tie at Grimsby tomorrow week (January 14).

Tuohy starts a three-game ban that day, after receiving a straight red card in last weekend’s defeat at Canvey.

He netted in that 4-1 reverse and took his tally for the season to 18 in a 3-0 win over Lowestoft on Monday.

Smith claimed his 12th goal of the campaign, but could also be hit with a suspension after being charged by the FA.

Smith was reported for comments made to the referee after his red card the FA Trophy against Farnborough. The club have lodged an appeal and are waiting for a personal hearing.

Urchins boss Jimmy McFarlane said: “You look at the goal he scored against Canvey, that is what Martin Tuohy does.

“Unfortunately the rules of the game nowadays are if you raise your hands you get a red.”

Hornchurch will look to keep their Ryman Premier Division promotion bid on track as they visit Wingate tomorrow (Saturday).

They lie in third place, just two points behind leaders Billericay with a game in hand, and host Harrow on Tuesday.

McFarlane added: “They are tough games because we are doing well, so every side will want to beat a side up the top, the likes of us, Lowestoft and Billericay.

“That’s pressure and I keep saying to the players that’s what you have got to live with if you are challenging for honours and every side will try and find another 20 per cent against you.

“Lowestoft and Lewes have got the funds to strengthen whenever they need if they feel it is necessary, unfortunately we haven’t but we’ll give it a good go.”

McFarlane also moved to answer the critics who continue to label his side as ‘Route One’ in their approach.

He said: “When you get labelled with a tag it must take a decade to shake off because people still say we are route one.

“Look at our forwards, how can you play route one with Lewis Smith and Martin Tuohy. I can understand it if Aaron Gayle is up there, but we don’t.

“Sooner or later someone has got to say ‘this has got to stop’. We can’t play route one, we aren’t good enough to play route one.”