VCD ATHLETIC 0 AFC HORNCHURCH 2

Once again the lack of a cutting edge proved the downfall of a Vickers side that had plenty of the ball and got into some good areas, but the final pass or shot on goal was lacking, leaving the visitors largely unthreatened at the back, and giving keeper Sam Mott a quiet night. VCD started on the front foot and when Karl Dent was fouled by Frankie Curley, Lewis Perkins’ free kick arched into the box where Lea Dawson got in a glancing header in just front of Nick Reeves who was better placed. Then a first time cross-field ball from Peter Smith picked out James Duckworth on the flank who cut inside Phil Starkey, but his squared ball was played in behind Dent and the chance was gone. Hornchurch responded with Tom Davis feeding Junior Luke before playing in George Purcell who sent in an excellent drive that crashed back off the crossbar. Nick Blue then saved well from Purcell and Luke before, after 15 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock. A free kick was awarded and Purcell’s low shot in took a deflection off the wall, deceiving Blue as the ball nestled in the bottom corner. The Vickers fashioned a chance when Perkins won the ball off Alex Bentley and sent in a first time cross where Leigh Bremner stooped to head goal-wards when a shot looked the better option, and the ball was blocked The workrate of the visitors was impressive as they closed VCD down quickly and harried them into mistakes, and their many tall players dominated in the air as the Vickers tried to get back into the game. Blue was tested a couple of times but was equal to the threat, and Dent sent in a 25 yard drive that Mott saved comfortably, but the hosts had the last chance of the half when a move broke down in midfield and the ball was moved to Dent who played Bremner in behind Starkey, but his left foot effort went past the post.
As the second half started, Hornchurch were nearly gifted a second goal when Blue miscued a clearance straight to Tobi Joseph who broke into the area, but the keeper redeemed himself when he rushed from goal to smother the ball at the striker’s feet. Purcell then guided a header wide before the tricky Chris Bourne hit a first time shot over the bar as Hornchurch continued to create chances, and Purcell again went close when he curled a left footer just round a post. However, a second goal came shortly after in slightly controversial circumstances when Bremner was sent sprawling on the halfway line, and with a free kick expected, play was waved on with Hornchurch winning a corner which Tom Davis floated in, and Omar Beckles seemed to wrestle his way through before planting a header into the net. A third goal was nearly added when Bourne raced down the left before playing the ball into the path of Curley, only for him to send his shot weakly wide. Then from a Vickers free kick the visitors broke quickly with Purcell running free from the half way line, but when he reached the area, Blue stood up well and blocked his effort. VCD had two chances to reduce the arrears late in the game when Duckworth broke clear down the left but drove just over the angle, then Ahmed Deen sent in a deep cross that Bremner headed back across goal, but Dent could only glance his header wide. All in all a disappointing evening for the Vickers, but that said, Hornchurch were fully deserving of the victory.

VCD Athletic: Blue, Cox (McDonagh 75), Deen, Reeves, Payne, P Smith, Dawson, Dent, Bremner, Duckworth, Perkins (Green 60)

Substitutes not used: Penfold, Powell

Attendance: 124