With the FA Cup in full swing, there were only a couple of games in the Ryman Premier on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Two teams expected to be challenging this season met at Bridge Road but hosts AFC Hornchurch – play-off finalists at the end of last season – now find themselves in second-bottom spot, and that`s where they remain after losing 1-0 to fellow underachievers Hampton & Richmond Borough.
The Urchins fell behind in the 27th minute to a Luke Wanadio effort. And their chances of getting back into the game all-but disappeared when they had George Purcell sent-off right on the stroke of half-time.
The day`s only other league game saw promoted Peacehaven & Telscombe move up to fourteenth in the table after beating Bury Town 2-1 at Ram Meadow.
James Fraser gave the Sussex visitors an eighth minute lead that Connor Hall cancelled out 11 minutes later. But Sami El-Abd`s 24th minute second for Peacehaven ended up being the winner to keep the Suffolk outfit in the bottom four.
Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.
Subscribe