Urchins earn three-goal league win

Romford Recorder: George Purcell scored twice for Hornchurch at Harrow (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)George Purcell scored twice for Hornchurch at Harrow (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football League)

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane hopes the club have put their bad form against Harrow Borough behind them after securing a second Ryman Premier win of the season last night at Earlsmead Stadium.

A first-half double from George Purcell put Urchins on their way and an own goal from Michael Peacock secured a 3-0 win, though Sam Mott was forced to make an excellent penalty save in the second period.

McFarlane hopes the Bridge Avenue outfit have put their previous bad run against Harrow behind them, he said: “Harrow were a bogey side for years and years.

“We won there last season, Stefan Payne smashed one in the last minute to win it for us, and we have won this season so maybe we have put the ghost to bed.

“We got an early goal last night and that made all the difference but we always look like scoring now.”

Purcell put Hornchurch ahead after two minutes before adding another in the 25th minute and McFarlane praised the forward.

He was also happy with the efforts of Martin Tuohy, who is slowly getting back to full fitness following a groin strain earlier in the season, and discussed two youngster that joined the club this season.

“George has five goals in five games and he has found his feet again,” said McFarlane.

“I knew he would though, and Martin will do the same. He is really putting in the hard graft at the moment and that grafting will get him rewards soon.

“We still have some very young lads in the team. Courtney Homans is only 18, as is Thomas Gogo and both of them have settled well and they will only get better.”

Mott kept just his second clean sheet of the season but was made to work for it, saving a penalty from Daniel May and making an excellent stop from Anthony Maissiat during the latter stages of the second half.

McFarlane was full of praise for his keeper, adding: “Sam made two fantastic saves.

“One save was from the penalty but he made another after and their manager, who is a former goalkeeper, said that is one of the best saves he has seen.”