Mixed fortunes for Ryman League duo

Premier: Hornchurch 1 Canvey 2

Rob King proved the scourge of Hornchurch once again as Canvey took the Ryman Premier Division points at Bridge Avenue last night.

King netted a hat-trick of penalties in his side’s 3-0 win last season and came up with a second-half winner to bring Urchins back to earth following their 5-2 opening-day win at Cray.

The home side had opened the scoring on 20 m inutes through captain Elliot Styles, who was left unmarked to head home from a corner.

And Jimmy McFarlane’s men went close to a second as they struck a post before former Urchin Danny Heale levelled in the 33rd minute, after Andrew West hit a post.

There was little between the two sides after the interval, but King came up with a decisive goal for the visitors midway through the half, when his well-struck drive from outside the box beat Darren Behcet.

Urchins piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but Canvey’s defence held firm and attention now switches to the visit of Horsham on Saturday, before Hornchurch make the long trip out to the Suffolk coast to face fancied Lowestoft on Monday.

Div 1N: Romford 1 Redbridge 0

Boro opened their account for the new season with a slender victory at Mill Field last night.

Kurt Smith’s 39th-minute goal was enough for Paul Martin’s men to bank the three points, following their 1-0 opening-day defeat at Harlow on Saturday.

Striker Smith cut in the from the right before firing a left-footed shot past James May in the Motormen goal.

Hyun Jin-Lee went close to a second after the break, hitting the crossbar, but Boro’s defence held firm as Redbridge looked for a way back into the match to ensure one goal proved sufficient.

Romford entertain newcomers Soham Town Rangers on Saturday, before travelling to Thamesmead on Bank Holiday Monday.