TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris discusses the key points

TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

After the disappointment of Tuesday night’s Plainmoor postponement, United return to league action with a huge game at Hornchurch. The games against the teams around you are key in any league, and this represents a great chance to get one over Hornchurch, and maybe even return to the top of the league. You can’t always tell what we will produce away from home, and this would be a perfect moment to produce a stellar performance.

SCORING FIRST

We have had issues this season with conceding the first goal in games, and that has resurfaced in the last three games. After falling behind to both Hampton & Maidstone at Plainmoor, to lose the first goal again at Enfield to a series of unconvincing clearances and a good strike from the edge of the box will have been frustrating for Paul. Going behind in a game of this size would make life very hard, so the first goal will be massive in this one.

JORDAN RETURNS

After the tumultuous end to the visit of Maidstone, Jordan Young had to sit out Saturday’s win at Enfield. Louis Dennis serves the second of his three game ban, but Jordan Young is back. He is so important to how we play, and to have him back is great. How we fit him in will be interesting. Cody Cooke led the line at the weekend, with Kieron Wilson in young’s position on the right hand side. With Dylan Morgan in sparkling form, how he fits back into the front line is intriguing. There a lot of games coming up in the next few weeks, with this being the first on three successive midweek assignments. Some rotation may take place, with a squad bursting to get the yellow shirt on and play.

DAZZLING DYLAN

When Torquay signed Dylan Morgan in December 2024, the chat amongst non league fans was what an excellent signing he was. And it was clear he had ability from the off. But a badly timed serious hamstring injury ended his season too early. He came looking in great shape in August, only to be injured in a poor challenge in August. He has struggled to get into the team since returning, but we are starting to see the best of Dylan now. Six goals for the season, and goals in three successive games is really showing his value to the team. His pace, energy and skill down the left flank is so dangerous, and with Callum Dolan injured, he has a settled place in the team.

THE OPPOSITION

Hornchurch have been enjoying an excellent season. They started the season like a train and those standards were always going to be difficult to maintain. But they head into the last day of January still on top. Their form has been patchy of late, with 10 points from the last 6 games. Their 2-1 win at Plainmoor was a close affair, so expect the same on Saturday. How nice would 3 points feel?