George Purcell struck twice as The Urchins defeated the Yachtsmen 3-0 in wet and windy conditions, writes Tom Wardle.

Elliot Pride started in goal for Wroxham; Steve Taylor also stayed at right back, whilst Michael Sommerfield and Joel Potter kept their places at the back. Aarron Taylor was making his first appearance since re-joining the Yachtsmen from Gorleston and joined Sommerfield at centre back. Gavin Lemmon came in for Ben Jones in the centre midfield with Jordan King and David Hinton playing in the centre as well. Jack Garrod started on the right hand side of midfield, whilst Seamus Kelleher replaced Tom Cullumbine on the left. Nick Davey started up front again for Wroxham. Jamie Forshaw, Matt Halliday, Joshua Gray and Lewis Sturman all started on the bench for a Wroxham side hoping to make it 3 wins in 3.

AFC Hornchurch started off with the majority of the possession; however the wet and windy conditions weren’t helping either of the teams. The Urchins first shot came in the 5th minute, Tabeson Eyong’s shot from the edge of the area was straight at Elliot Pride in the Wroxham goal, and was comfortably caught by the Wroxham shot stopper. Elliot Pride was called into action 2 minutes later, as a driven free kick from George Purcell was brilliantly tipped around the left post by Pride. The following corner was played into the box, but was cleared up the pitch by Aarron Taylor.

Wroxham then started to create a few openings, the first coming 8 minutes in. Jack Garrod’s free kick from the right hand side was cleared, but only as far as Steve Taylor, whose cross from the right hand side was caught by Sam Mott at the near post. The Yachtsmen were forced into an early change, because 15 minutes into the game Nick Davey picked up an injury and was replaced by Jamie Forshaw. Forshaw’s first contribution to the game saw him play a through ball to Jack Garrod, but Sam Mott was quickly off his line to come and collect the ball before Garrod got there.

On the 24th minute the home side nearly managed to find the opening goal, as Kieron St Aimie saw his cross from the left hand side met by Purcell whose shot was brilliantly blocked by Michael Sommerfield. Alex Bentley then tried an audacious long shot, but again was comfortably saved by Pride. The Yachtsmen then countered, Jordan King’s ball forward to David Hinton, saw Hinton go past a Hornchurch defender, then shooting but his shot was deflected over the bar. However as Wroxham were looking to have kept a clean sheet against their high-flying opponents, just before half time the ball fell for George Purcell, who took a touch to the left, before placing the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal to give the Urchins the lead.

Gavin Lemmon was withdrawn at half time for the away side, and was replaced by Matt Halliday who dropped in at centre back, meaning Aarron Taylor pushed to the right and Steve Taylor pushed up into the centre midfield spot. However 5 minutes into the second half Hornchurch doubled their lead. Wroxham's nemesis George Purcell cut in from the left hand side, eased by a Wroxham defender before placing the ball brilliantly into the bottom right corner of the net. The Yachtsmen then tried to respond instantly, as Jack Garrod fantastic skill down the right hand side left him in space, but his low cross into the box was collected by Sam Mott.

AFC Hornchurch didn’t ease off after the goal, as a cross in from the right hand side from Alex Bentley was met by the towering head of St Aimie, but went wide of Elliot Pride’s goal. Dave Collis then picked the ball up from deep for the home side, before trying another long shot on goal, but the effort didn’t trouble Pride and went out for a goal kick. The Yachtsmen then had a few chances to get a goal back. Steve Taylor saw his cross from the right hand side cleared in the box, as there were no Wroxham players there to get the vital touch. David Hinton then drove a free kick towards the goal, but the ball was caught just under the top left corner.

George Purcell then had a chance to get his hat trick with a free kick from the edge of the box. Purcell’s shot skimmed the bottom left of the post before going out for a goal kick. 2 minutes later Tabeson Eyong managed to scramble his way through the Wroxham defence before chipping the ball past Pride and into the back of the net. Seamus Kelleher was then replaced by Joshua Gray. The away side had the last chance of the game; the ball fell for Joel Potter on the edge of the area. The Full Back’s shot was well saved to the right of the goal.

Overall, AFC Hornchurch showed their quality against an in-form Wroxham side. The injury to Nick Davey made a difference, as the Yachtsmen didn’t have another natural striker playing, and were not helped by the condition of the pitch. Wroxham should not be disheartened by the result against a side that will go very close to if not obtain promotion come the end of the season. The result saw the Yachtsmen fall back into the relegation zone albeit on goal difference as Heybridge beat Tilbury. Their next game is scheduled for Monday night with another journey down the M11 and around the M25 to Aveley. The match must be in doubt though as Aveley's game on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and the rain all afternoon on Saturday would not have helped the Aveley ground staff improve matters.