Saturday 23rd July
Parkside Stadium
Pre-Season Friendly
Hornchurch 4
Concord Rangers 1
Concord Rangers made it three games without a win in pre-season as Chris Search’s men fell to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Isthmian Premier Division side Hornchurch.
It was the Urchins who started the brighter going close after just minutes, when Liam Nash stole possession before cutting inside and curling a left footed effort narrowly wide.
Then three minutes later the hosts would take the lead. Ola Ogunwamide skinned Concord’s Louis Ramsay before pulling the ball back to Nash whose scuffed effort sneaked past the trialist in goal and into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later Ogunwamide turned from provider to scorer when the former East Thurrock winger was played through on goal but his effort was saved by the legs of Concord’s keeper, ensuring that Hornchurch would go into half time with just a one goal advantage.
The second period started quietly with few chances aside from a James Blanchfield strike that trickled narrowly wide of the far post.
However, Hornchurch would double their lead on the hour mark. A defensive mix-up gifted possession to former Beach Boy Charlie Stimson who lobbed the ball over the keeper to make it 2-0.
Despite this, Concord mustered up a response 11 minutes later. Danny Green pinged a fine ball over the top to pick out Tosan Popo, and the 29-year-old took his time before coolly lobbing the ball over a trialist in the Hornchurch goal – handing the Beach Boys a lifeline. This strike was Popo's second of pre-season so far.
However just four minutes later Hornchurch were able to re-establish their two-goal cushion when a Nash corner deflected home with the last touch coming off a Concord defender.
With eight minutes left to go the Urchins sealed the victory. Another corner from former Concord attacker Nash was met by Nathan Bertram-Cooper, who rose highest to head Hornchurch into a 4-1 lead.
This victory was Hornchurch’s third of their pre-season campaign so far; whereas for Concord they are now three without a win following a loss to Peterborough Sports last Saturday and a draw with Cray Valley in midweek.
The Beach Boys will need to improve if they are to pick up more positive score lines against National League sides Dagenham & Redbridge and Southend United who come to the Aspect Arena next week.
By Nathan Williams