Hornchurch hope to hit top spot

Tuesday (7.45pm)

Ryman Premier Division

Hornchurch v Harrow

Urchins could take over at the top of the table with victory at Bridge Avenue tonight.

They moved up to second place behind new pacesetters Lowestoft with a 2-1 triumph at Wingate on Saturday, as previous leaders Billericay were beaten at Tooting.

Martin Tuohy put Urchins ahead from the penalty spot, with his 19th of the season, but the hosts were back on terms before half-time.

Lewis Smith sealed all three points for Jimmy McFarlane’s men in the 52nd minute as he took his tally for the season to 13.

McFarlane said: “It’s always tough against Harrow. I know Dave Anderson really well.

“They lost 1-0 to Kingstonian at the weekend but were really unlucky.

“We had two tough games against them in the FA Trophy. They should’ve had a penalty late on which would’ve put us out, but we had that bit of luck.”

Les Thompson was on target when Harrow visited for an FA Trophy replay in November, to seal a 1-0 victory for Hornchurch.

And they will be hoping for another boost ahead of their big tie at Conference side Grimsby on Saturday.

Tuohy misses out as starts a three-game ban that day, following his red card in the 4-1 defeat at Canvey.

And Urchins have lodged an appeal against Smith’s FA charge, hoping to limit the disciplinary damage to their 32-goal strike force.

McFarlane added: “Everyone’s fit and available for the Harrow match and we’re hoping not to pick up any knocks for Saturday.

“You have to take it one game at a time, though. If we were a mid-table team who were not challenging, we could leave some key players out, but we’re not.”