Urchins aim to restore their eight point lead

Pitching In Isthmian Premier leaders Hornchurch have the chance to show their supporters- and the chasing pack- that they haven’t been unduly affected by last Saturday’s defeat at second place Chatham Town, as they welcome Canvey Island to Bridge Avenue for an Essex derby.

That defeat at Chatham was their first league loss of the season, ending a seventeen match unbeaten run which included fourteen victories. It was the second match in a row they’d failed to win, which might sound rather insignificant in the scheme of things, but prior to their goalless draw with Whitehawk they’d won twelve in a row.

The Urchins start the weekend five points clear, having played three matches fewer than the second place Chats. Three points further back are Enfield Town, but Hornchurch also have a game in hand over them, so there seems absolutely nothing to panic about if you’re a loyal Urchin- but we suspect there will still be a few jitters if Canvey win!

Canvey are rather desperate for a win, after losing their last three- a four-one home defeat against Potters Bar Town last weekend the most recent of those. Last season they were excellent against Hornchurch, defeating the Urchins home and away- the last of those results a three-one win at Bridge Avenue in January, Evans Kouassi, Bradley Sach and Conor Hubble sending the visitors fans home happy. The Urchins scorer that day, Sam Higgins, has recently signed for the Gulls so will be making rather an early, and perhaps emotional, return.

Image from Ian Mulcahy.

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