MATCH VERDICT

Steve Harris – steveharris84

Steve reports back

HORNCHURCH FC 2-1 TORQUAY UNITED – 26.10.24

SUMMARY

In the end it was a bad day at the office for the Gulls as they fell to defeat against former loanee Daryl McMahon’s Hornchurch side.

Goals from Liam Nash and George Saunders gave the Urchins a two-goal cushion before Cody Cooke reduced United’s arrears with his fourth of the campaign, as the Gulls four-match unbeaten run came to an end.

United were dealt an early blow when a clearance from Jordan Dyer landed invitingly at the feet of Hornchurch’s leading scorer Nash, who fired past James Hamon from 20 yards.

It took the Gulls until the 23rd minute to threaten an equaliser when Brad Ash tested Urchins’ keeper Mason Terry from 15 yards with a shot which was parried away. The rebound then fell to Jay Foulston, who netted United’s midweek winner against Worthing, who was also denied.

Four minutes before the break, Finn Tonks produced a dangerous looking cross which Cooke failed to fully connect with, as the Gulls trailed at the break.

At half time, Paul Wotton rung the changes with a triple substitution which saw Omar Mussa, Matt Carson and Ben Seymour replace Lirak Hasani, Brad Ash and Finn Tonks. Following Mussa’s heroics on Tuesday after coming off the bench, it was hoped that might have the same impact again.

For a brief period it looked as though the trio’s introduction might have the desired impact, as United forced a couple of corners early in the second half, but never managed to make any of them count.

Moments later, Dan Hayfield saw a 20 yard effort deflected behind.

On the hour mark, the Urchins made what would ultimately prove to be their decisive blow as George Saunders connected with a ball from the left before his eventual strike hit the bar and bounced down and in off Hamon.

In the 68th minute, Wotton made what would be his fourth and final change as Dean Moxey replaced Jay Foulston.

Eight minutes later, the Gulls pulled one back as Cooke converted from close range, but they couldn’t find a second despite a number of trademark long throws from Moxey.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. James Hamon- 6: Couldn’t do much about Hornchurch’s first goal, but will probably want to forget their second.

4. Jordan Dyer – 6: His uncharacteristic misplaced clearance played a part in Hornchurch’s opener, but recovered to produce a steady display.

3. Jay Foulston – 7: Switched from being a left-sided centre back to left back before moving back to centre back in the second half.

5. Sam Dreyer – 7: Handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Oscar Threlkeld, and produced a performance that belied his relative tender years.

2. Finley Craske – 7: Solid, but unspectacular at right back and as a right wing back later on.

17. Finn Tonks – 5: In an unfamiliar role on the right hand side of a front three, the Bournemouth struggled to make an impact and was replaced at half time.

22. Will Jenkins-Davies – 6: Showed good energy levels and some good touches, but didn’t create as much as he would have liked.

20. Dan Hayfield – 7.5: MOTM – (see below)

7. Lirak Hasani – 5: Had a fairly quiet game and was substituted at half time.

19. Cody Cooke – 7: Showed good composure for his goal and led the forward line well.

11. Brad Ash – 5: Aside from his shot in the 23rd minute, he didn’t make an impact before he was replaced.

Subs:

14. Matty Carson – 6.5: Asked a few questions of the Hornchurch defence with a couple of dangerous looking crosses.

9. Ben Seymour – 6.5: Got in some good positions, but couldn’t find a finish.

10. Omar Mussa – 6.5: Couldn’t quite replicate his heroics of his display against Worthing, but tried to make things happen.

21. Dean Moxey – 6.5: Tested the Urchins back line with a couple of trademark long throws.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Hornchurch (a)

MAN OF THE MATCH – DAN HAYFIELD

Stepped into the role of holding midfielder in Oscar Threlkeld’s absence and he did the simple things well.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Cody Cooke worked hard and took his goal well. Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston also looked solid at the back.

TACTICS

Paul Wotton started the game with the 4-3-3 formation that United finished against Worthing on Tuesday night with. At half-time, Wotton switched to a 3-4-1-2, following his triple substitution, which saw Mussa deployed as a number 10 behind a front two of Cooke and Seymour and Craske and Carson playing as wing-backs.

OFFICIALS

Not the worst officiating display I’ve seen this season, but not the best either. Standard NLS fare really.

OPPOSITION

With a number of street wise NLS operators in their ranks, Hornchurch were good value for their win, and will probably comfortably retain the National League South status that they won last season.

CONCLUSION

While it was a day of frustration for the Yellow Army, who once again travelled in good numbers, Paul Wotton will no doubt be aware of where he needs to strengthen if the Gulls are to mount a title challenge in what is a league of marginal gains. Also, with two home games coming up in United’s next three fixtures, the chance to bounce back could be just around the corner.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Defeat at Hornchurch today after a change in formation for the Gulls. Paul Wotton reverted back to his favoured 532 in the second half but the hosts take the points #TUFC @bbcdevonsport pic.twitter.com/TEvwJtDedQ
— Harry Salvidge (@H_Salvidge14) October 26, 2024