Urchins to battle foes

Frankie Curley captained Hornchurch against Leiston (pic; Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Lea...)

Kingstonian visit Bridge Avenue tomorrow (Saturday), and Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane admits the two teams have developed a fierce rivalry.

Urchins have a solid record against the K’s after beating them 1-0 at Kingsmeadow in the play-off semi-final last year, as well as drawing both Ryman Premier fixtures last season.

And McFarlane has backed the key forwards in his squad to come up trumps this weekend and give the club back-to-back victories in the league.

“We don’t get on great, us and Kingstonian,” he said. “I think because we have achieved more than them over the last few years, there is a bit of rivalry there.

“We come out on top most times against Kingstonian and we have always had match-winners.

“This season I have George Purcell and Martin Tuohy and Michael Malcolm, who seems to come up with a bit of quality when we need it.”

Hornchurch are without influential midfielder Frankie Curley as he serves a one-game ban for his red card in the FA Trophy defeat against Wimborne Town recently.

But the Urchins boss does have plenty to be positive about.

“We are beginning to get people back,” added McFarlane. “Joey May will be available for selection and Tobi Joseph came off the bench and made an impact for 10 minutes against Witham.

“Junior Luke is back and Leon McKenzie isn’t far away. We are getting quality back on our bench, which is what we need to get out of this.

“But Frankie is a massive loss, especially against one of our rivals.”

Although the Hornchurch manager expects a tough contest, he is backing his side to keep up their good form.

“Kingstonian are a big club and they have got good players,” said McFarlane. “It will be tough, but we seem to do better against bigger players.”