Hornchurch made a dream start to life in the National League with a deserved 3-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Bridge Avenue on Saturday.
On a historic afternoon for the club, the Urchins produced an outstanding display in front of a packed home crowd to secure all three points and announce themselves in style at their new level.
Daryl McMahon's side started brightly and quickly looked to make use of their long-throw threat.
After just three minutes, Sam Ling launched a delivery into the area which found Nathan Ferguson, but his effort was pushed over by Kidderminster goalkeeper Dave Richards.
The visitors responded and almost made the breakthrough in the seventh minute when Levi Amantchi tested Arthur Nasta, who produced an excellent save to keep the scores level.
Hornchurch continued to ask questions of the Kidderminster defence and were rewarded in the 19th minute with a goal that will forever hold a place in the club's history.
Ryan Inniss flicked on a corner from the right and Joe Kizzi reacted quickest to turn the ball home from close range, scoring Hornchurch's first-ever National League goal and sparking celebrations around Bridge Avenue.
The Urchins doubled their lead seven minutes later.
Relentless pressure from Henry Hearn forced a defensive mistake from Angus MacDonald, with the ball ending up in the net for an own goal and a 2-0 advantage.
Full of confidence, Hornchurch continued to dominate and added a third in the 34th minute.
Hearn was again involved, delivering from the left for Makai Welch, who took a touch before firing a superb volley beyond Richards to cap a fine first-half display.
Leading 3-0 at the break, Hornchurch were determined to maintain their momentum after the restart and nearly added a fourth within a minute.
Hearn raced through on goal but Richards stood firm to make an important stop, while Henry Sandat soon after directed an effort narrowly wide.
Kidderminster enjoyed more possession during the second half but found clear opportunities difficult to create against a disciplined Hornchurch defence.
Inniss produced an important block to deny Amantchi, while Nasta remained largely untroubled.
The hosts still carried a threat at the other end.
Substitute Myles Weston forced Richards into another good save shortly after coming on, while Sandat missed a good chance before Kizzi struck the crossbar with a powerful header as Hornchurch pushed for a fourth goal.
As the game entered its closing stages, Hornchurch comfortably managed proceedings and preserved a well-earned clean sheet.
The final whistle confirmed a memorable afternoon for the Urchins.
On the biggest day in the club's history, they delivered a performance full of confidence, quality and belief to begin life in the National League with a statement victory.
Their reward was an opening-day place near the top of the table and plenty of optimism ahead of next weekend's trip to AFC Barrow.
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