Thurrock 0-2 AFC Hornchurch

From Ship Lane

Ryman One North semi-final

IT was play-off heartache once again for Thurrock as they were beaten 2-0 by an impressive AFC Hornchurch.

After losing the final last season, Fleet were beaten in the semi-finals this time around as first half goals from George Purcell and Junior Luke ensured the visitors’ progress.

Fleet had finished the season with 10 more points than their opponents but it was the visitors that made the brighter start, with both wingers looking lively.

However, it was hitman Purcell that created the first opportunity of the evening. Cutting in from the left, the striker avoided the attentions of Junior Baker and fired at goal, with only Rhys Madden’s low save keeping the scores goalless.

But the first goal was to come soon after, and it was so avoidable from Thurrock’s perspective. A cross was pulled back into the box and Lewis Clark, instead of clearing first time, leaned into the ball with the referee awarding a spot kick for handball.

Purcell made no mistake from 12 yards as he notched his 34th goal of the season.

Fleet responded well and came the width of the goal line from equalising. Lewwis Spence lined up a long range effort and it was heading off target but for the deflection off Nathan Cooper which sent the ball crashing off the underside of the crossbar and away.

Jordan Clark struck over as the pressure from the home team grew but it was Hornchurch that looked the most likely.

Former Fleet man Luke sent a fierce cross-shot wide of the post before the same man crashed an effort off the outside of the post, with the keeper beaten.

Another familiar face was next to come close, with David Knight flicking a header goalwards from close range, with Madden instinctively throwing up his hands to block away.

The second goal came five minutes before the break and it was a delightful team effort from Hornchurch.

A ball with the outside of the boot found Knight on the edge of the penalty area, with the striker taking a touch and feeding it into the path of Luke.

The former Billericay man took the ball in his stride, shrugged off the attention of the two defenders, dropped his shoulder and dinked the ball past the committed keeper.

Thurrock needed a response after the interval but it was the away side that had a golden chance to extend their advantage almost straight from kick off.

Purcell’s free-kick was deflected behind and, from the resulting corner, Cooper was only denied a certain third when Spence slid in to turn the ball behind.

Fleet were still lacking the fluidity of Hornchurch, as Purcell sent another free-kick narrowly off target.

Despite Thurrock’s pressure, they didn’t force an outstanding save from Sam Mott until 15 minutes from time when James Goode worked an opening but was denied by a sprawling save from the stopper.

Baker was the next to be denied, as Mott did superbly to tip the defender’s header over with his fingertips and the night was perhaps most summed up in the final five minutes.

A ball was headed back across the penalty area and Charlie Stimson, unmarked from five yards, shot over on the stretch.

But it was Hornchurch that were took the win, as they set up a final against Harlow Town.

Thurrock: Madden, Morgan, L Clark, Baker, Sutton, Toner (Goode), J Clark, Spence, Wall (Gleed), Francis (Stimson), Cowley

AFC Hornchurch: Mott, Eyong, Bentley, Styles, Cooper, Collis, Thompson (Chouman), Symons, Knight (Freeman), Purcell (McKenzie), Luke