Hornchurch hope to hit back

Monday (3pm)

Ryman Premier Division

Hornchurch v Lowestoft

Urchins will look to start the new year on a positive note, after ending 2011 with defeat.

Jimmy McFarlane’s men had won 10 of their first 11 away league games this season, but slumped to a 4-1 loss at bogey side Canvey on New Year’s Eve.

Leading scorer Martin Tuohy gave them a first-half lead at Park Lane, with his 17th goal of the season, but was later dismissed.

The hosts levelled midway through the second half and took the lead with 15 minutes left, before two late goals gave the final scoreline a more lop-sided look.

Defeat left Urchins four points behind leaders Billericay, having beaten the Blues at New Lodge on December 27, while today’s visitors Lowestoft celebrated a 2-0 home win over Wingate to maintain their hold on second place.

Before Saturday’s loss, the only other time Hornchrch had been beaten on their travels was at Lowestoft on August Bank Holiday.

And that was only after a last-gasp Lubo Guentchev goal gave the Trawlerboys a 2-1 victory.

Ryman Division 1N

Romford v Thamesmead

Boro also ended last year on a low note, with a 3-0 defeat at Redbridge.

Matt Turpin put Motormen ahead after only six minutes and Joe Gardner netted twice in the final quarter to clinch the points.

It was a first and only league defeat of December for Romford and brought to an end a seven-game unbeaten run which had lifted them into the top 10.

But boss Paul Martin returns to the dugout tomorrow, having served a two-match touchline ban, and will hope his men can bounce back quickly.

They twice came from behind to earn a point from a 2-2 draw when the two sides met in late August.

Kurt Smith saw a first-half penalty saved by Sam Mott and Ricky Cable put the hosts ahead with a spot-kick of his own just before the hour.

Jack Barry levelled soon after, but Boro were behind again when Danny Penny beat Lamar Joseph-Johnson.

Abs Seymour saw a long-range effort come crashing back off the crossbar as Boro looked set to return home empty-handed.

But they grabbed a share of the spoils in injury time when the since departed Chuck Duru cut in from the left and sent a dipping shot over the head of Mott.