HORNCHURCH manager Jimmy McFarlane is backing his side to still reach the Ryman Premier Division play-offs this season.

HORNCHURCH boss Jimmy McFarlane is backing his side to reach the Ryman Premier Division play-offs.

Urchins host Billericay tomorrow on the back of a 4-0 win over Folkestone, which came hot on the heels of a crushing 7-1 defeat at Tonbridge.

They have 11 points from their first 10 games, but McFarlane remains focused on a top-five spot.

He said: “Getting in the play-offs is still the aim and I really do think we can.

“We’ve been up and down and it’s getting that consistency. We’ve got to start.

“We did well to bounce back after Saturday’s game. It can take weeks to get a defeat like that out of your system but we worked hard all over the pitch.

“Some players who have had dips in form, had their best games of the season.”

McFarlane should have a full-strength squad to pick from for the visit of Billericay, with the exception of former Blues midfielder Jamie Dormer.

“Jamie is having a scan on his knee and we won’t know the result of it until next week,” he said.

“No derby games are easy. Billericay have not had the greatest of starts to the season, but they’ve got decent players, like ourselves and will turn the corner. We just hope it’s on Monday.”

Urchins travel to East Thurrock on Tuesday for a Ryman League Cup tie and McFarlane added: “It’s another easy one! We’ve got a lot of friends there and it’s always nice to go there, but it’s never easy. No derby is, no matter what league you’re in.”