Urchins boss forced to reflect on another loss

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane praised the effort of his side despite another Ryman Premier Division loss as they more than matched big-spenders Margate at Bridge Avenue on Saturday.

Urchins failed to score again and conceded twice in the second period to go down 2-0, but performed excellently throughout the match and deserved at least a point.

McFarlane was pleased with his side, but just disappointed, once again, they could not convert some of the excellent chances they had at the weekend.

“I’m normally inconsolable when we get beat but there were so many positives,” he said.

“It took to the 70th minute (for Margate to score) and it is a ricocheted clearance. Looking at the negatives; we have had proper chances again.

“Frank’s (Curley) one was just a great save, I don’t think he could have done any more, but Chris Bourne had a great opportunity and he has to work the goalkeeper more.

“Tobi (Joseph) has snatched at another one where it is basically an open goal and he just needs to pass it in the net.

“George Purcell lashes it in the second half, and that is how he hits the ball, but it needed more quality than quantity.

“And as with all the good sides, Margate kept chugging away (and got their reward) but I think we caused them so many more problems than they caused us.

“Elliot Styles and Omar Beckles had good games against their two forwards and when you are down there and the luck goes against you ricochets happen don’t they.”

The first Margate goal was a snippet of how Hornchurch’s luck has fared this season.

Curley dealt with a dangerous run from Charlie Allen but as Junior Luke went to clear the ball for a throw, it bounced off the Margate midfielder and perfectly to Lewis Taylor – who angled his shot excellently into the corner pass Sam Mott.

McFarlane added: “If someone out of the country came over and asked ‘what has the season been like?’ – if you showed them the first goal that is what has happened.

“And as I have said every week what can you do on a training ground about human error?

“But, there were more positives from Saturday than negatives. Everyone had a job to do and they dide it, to the letter, but I just think it took a little edge off our attacking.”