Heale (2) 36, 44

Concord Rangers

AFC Hornchurch

CONCORD RANGERS (2) 2 HORNCHURCH (0) 1
After the turbulent close season, it was nothing short of amazing to find that Colin had not only got together a team, but had enough for two teams. Only two regulars were missing from last season, Simon Parker, due to travel difficulties, and Frankie Curley. Kris Lee is still out with the injury he picked up towards the end of last season.

The vast majority of the crowd were decked out in red and white or blue and white, and most managed to get there in time, despite 13 miles of traffic jams on the M25 and another four miles on the A13.

The home officials had underestimated the away following, as all programmes were gone within two minutes of the turnstile opening. Unusually for this league, there was no burger bar and the small refreshment area sold only hot dogs and pies.

The Urchins following were eagerly waiting, and they were not disappointed, despite the scoreline. Despite the many doubters, despite the knockers, we have a team, and a good one at that. The players want to play for Hornchurch, and supporters want to support the management. Hornchurch looked confident and assured, and though they did not over-exert themselves in the sunshine, they soon began to settle. They nearly opened the score in the 12th minute when Steve Butterworth moved across to the right to take short corner to Mark Janney, whose cross into the goalmouth saw Dale Brightly grab the ball just in front of Ross Wall. With Paul Shave making his presence felt in midfield, Urchins pressed forward, but were found open at the back when a cross from the left reached Hopkins who hammered his shot over the bar.

Play was entertaining although confined to midfield, but Concord took the lead in the 36th Minute when DANNY HEALE rose well to head from from a right wing cross, and just before half time came the second goal, in farcical circumstances. Concord were awarded a free kick ten yards outside the area, and whilst the wall was lining up, DANNY HEALE casually chipped the ball into the unguarded net. No one seemed too concerned, as this was a pre-season match, but had it been a league match, it might have been a different story.

Urchins made a lot of changes for the second half, and the numbers did not correspond to the programmed numbers, but the scorer of the goal, on 60 minutes, was one of the regulars, and it was MARK JANNEY who chipped the ball home from the edge of the area, with a crowd of defenders between him and the goal. Urchins pressed strongly for the equaliser, and Dean Green went close with a shot that was blocked by a defender. Dave Collis (number 20) switched from right back to left back, allowing Andy Tomlinson to move further forward, though there was a downside when Mark Goodfellow came back on, only to limp off again shortly afterwards.

With Urchins pressing forward they occasionally left it open at the back, but Darren Behcet was in good form, and the second half was used mainly to give some of the newer players a chance to blend in.

Concord Rangers

AFC Hornchurch