Hornchurch back on promotion trail

Saturday

Ryman Premier Division

Bury v Hornchurch

Urchins return to the bread and butter of league competition after seeing their FA Trophy excursion end at Grimsby.

Jimmy McFarlane’s men were chasing the game from the 12th minute onwards at Blundell Park and conceded twice more before half-time.

Michael Spencer hit a post after the restart and Tommy Black also went agonisingly close before their Conference Premier hosts sealed a 4-0 win.

A disappointing day for Urchins ended with news of Billericay replacing them at the top of the table, but they are only one point back with a game in hand.

McFarlane knows his men face a tough test in Suffolk this weekend, but admitted he was grateful for exactly this type of fixture, rather than a so-called ‘easy game’.

Ryman Division 1N

Romford v Chatham

Boro ended their three-game losing streak with a point at Maldon in midweek.

Frustrated by a frozen pitch at Ilford on Saturday, they battled to a goalless stalemate for their first return of 2012.

Defeats against Redbridge, Thamesmead and Enfield Town had cast shadows over Mill Field, as Boro slumped to 15th in the table.

But boss Paul Martin was relieved to finally stop the rot and is looking for his men to produce a repeat of their fine 3-0 win at Chatham in October, which he described as their “best performance of the season.”