| The tie was a tale of three penalties –
all converted – awarded by referee Steve Rubery, who also
dismissed Urchins left-back Danny Glozier after a late challenge on
Danny Smith during the second half. However, Hornchurch can have no
complaints after a determined performance from the Ryman League
Division One North side saw them edge out their more illustrious
opponents.
The opening exchanges were combative, and it was obvious from
early on that chances would be at a premium. Kurt Smith, the
Dockers’ lone forward, was a threat and after he had got round
Glozier in the 9th minute, winger Erkan Yusuf was adjudged to have
been upended by Ollie Adedeji. Smith stepped up to confidently drill
the penalty-kick into the bottom right-hand corner.
Defender Adedeji made partial amends midway through the first
half when he blocked Smith’s goalbound effort, the Tilbury
top-scorer having forced his shot between goalkeeper Richard
McKinney and John Purdie.
From the resulting corner, swung in by Sam Holloway,
ex-Manchester
City
shot-stopper
McKinney
appeared to lean over Smith and Rubery pointed to the spot again.
Smith brushed himself down to slam the spot-kick slightly to the
right of centre and make it 2-0.
The visitors threatened briefly before half-time, with Danny
Smith forced to sky Joe Keith’s cut-back over his own crossbar and
Kris Lee rolling a shot agonisingly across the face of goal.
Tilbury continued to fight hard, and their cause was aided just
after the hour mark when Glozier’s tackle on Smith left the
defender requiring treatment. Luke Stanley and Danny O’Connor both
cleared the crossbar with long-range efforts and Holloway could also
have sealed the victory after a sweeping move involving Kurt Smith
and substitute Lee Springer.
Ronnie Hanley, acting as A.F.C. Hornchurch manager in the absence
of Colin McBride, was sent to the stands for voicing his displeasure
at a number of decisions, and this served to galvanise his team.
They gained their reward in the second minute of stoppage time when
Holloway blocked Amos Foyewa’s point-blank shot with his hand.
Mark Janney’s penalty went into the bottom left-hand corner
but, despite a further three minutes of additional time during which
McKinney
tipped Smith’s header over, they could not unlock the Tilbury
defence again.
Tilbury: Paul Agu, Danny Smith, Luke Stanley, Jay Taylor,
Marc Clarey, Nathan Philip, Erkan Yusuf (Joshua Coulson, 74), Danny
O’Connor, Kurt Smith, John Hefford (Lee Springer, 67), Sam
Holloway. Unused Substitutes: Olagunju Babatunde, Steve Mensah.
A.F.C. Hornchurch: Richard McKinney, Jordan Bostock, Danny
Glozier, John Purdie, Ollie Adedeji, Andy Tomlinson (Amos Foyewa,
69), Joe Keith, Mark Janney, Kris Lee (Shane Oakley, 75), Harry
Elmes (Simon Parker, 46), Richard Halle. Unused Substitutes: Elliot
Styles, Ronnie Fletcher.
Bookings: Tilbury: Philip (38, unsporting behaviour), Coulson
(84, unsporting behaviour); A.F.C. Hornchurch: Foyewa (75, dissent),
Adedeji (86, dissent).
Sent Off: A.F.C. Hornchurch: Glozier (62, serious foul play).
Attendance: 72
Referee: Steve Rubery (Ilford).
Assistant Referees: Ian Hogg (Basildon) and Stuart Franklin (
Basildon
).
Man of the Match: Kurt Smith (Tilbury) – Converted two
penalties and was only denied a hat-trick by a late save from
Richard McKinney. Led the front line alone for over an hour and
scored his ninth and tenth goals of the season in just his twelfth
game.
|
