Hornchurch suffered a frustrating evening on the road Tuesday night as an early goal condemned the Urchins to their third league defeat in a row, to a 1-0 defeat against Worthing at Woodside Road.
The Urchins found themselves behind inside the opening ten minutes after Worthing made the most of an early spell of pressure, with Aguiar finishing from close range to give the hosts the advantage.
Despite a strong response from Hornchurch after the interval, the Urchins were unable to find a way through a resolute Worthing defence, with Taylor Seymour producing several important saves to preserve the hosts' lead.
Daryl McMahon’s side were looking to cancel out on their previous visit to Woodside Road, which saw the Urchins suffer a five-goal defeat last November, but Worthing once again made it count with the brighter start on the West Sussex coast.
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Ahead of the game, McMahon made two changes to his starting lineup that began Saturday’s 3-0 loss to FC Halifax Town, with Henry Hearn and Tom Dallison returning to the side.
The game got underway and Worthing immediately looked to put the Urchins under pressure and the hosts broke the deadlock inside the opening ten minutes. Cory Adjetey-Brew collected possession in front of the home dugout before driving towards halfway and Adjetey-Brew then produced an excellent pass over the Hornchurch backline, with Charley Kendall showing impressive control to bring the ball down and create space on the left side of the area. The Worthing forward then delivered a low ball across the box, where Ricky Aguiar had timed his run perfectly to arrive and side-foot home from close range, leaving the Urchins trailing, 1-0 Worthing.
The early goal gave Worthing confidence and the hosts continued to apply pressure during the opening half hour. Hornchurch were struggling to establish any sustained attacking pressure as Worthing looked to build on their advantage.
The hosts came close to doubling their lead in the twenty-fourth minute after ex Urchin Razzaq Coleman De-Graft picked out the delayed run of Joel Colbran through the right channel. Colbran raced towards the byline before sending a fizzing delivery across the face of goal, but Nathaniel-George was unable to keep his effort underneath the crossbar from just inside the six-yard box.
Hornchurch remained within touching distance heading into the interval, although the Urchins needed a much-improved second-half display if they were to leave West Sussex with anything from the game.
Half-Time - Worthing 1-0 Hornchurch
McMahon’s side emerged after the break looking to respond, but it was Worthing who continued to threaten during the opening stages of the second half.
Josh Walker was introduced at half time for the Urchins to replace Henry Hearn and it immediately provided greater attacking impetus for the visitors, producing the first effort following the interval as Walker received possession on the left side of the box before shifting inside and sending a low drive towards goal, although Taylor Seymour was positioned well to gather the effort.
The save helped Worthing maintain their advantage, but the momentum was gradually beginning to shift towards the Urchins as the second half progressed.
Hornchurch started to enjoy more possession and began asking further questions of the Worthing defence as the Urchins came close to an equaliser on the hour mark. Jack Powell’s initial free kick struck the wall before rebounding back to the midfielder and Powell delivered the resulting ball into a crowded penalty area, where Ryan Inniss rose highest to meet the cross and directed a downward header towards goal, but Seymour reacted quickly to turn the effort over the crossbar and preserve the hosts' lead.
The Urchins continued to push forward and came close again just three minutes later.
Henry Sandat received the ball on the right flank before seeing Walker make a run across the six-yard box. Sandat delivered a low cross towards his teammate, with Walker getting a flick on the ball, but his effort was once again denied as Seymour produced another important save to turn the ball around the post.
Hornchurch were now enjoying their strongest spell of the contest, but Worthing remained determined to protect their narrow advantage as the hosts were forced to defend deeper.
Despite Hornchurch’s improved performance following the interval, the Urchins were unable to make their pressure count in front of goal.
Worthing gradually regained control of the contest during the closing stages and frustrated the visitors with a disciplined defensive display. Harry Ransom also provided a strong presence for the hosts after being introduced into the defensive unit, offering plenty of vocal organisation while also dominating in the aerial battles.
Hornchurch continued to push until the final whistle, but Worthing stood firm to protect their lead and there was too little else for the Urchins to do other than continue searching for an opening, but the equaliser ultimately proved elusive as the final whistle confirmed a 1-0 defeat for McMahon’s side.
For Hornchurch, it was a frustrating evening on the road as the Urchins were punished by Worthing’s early pressure and found themselves behind inside the opening ten minutes. McMahon’s men though showed a slight improved display after the break and created potential opportunities to get back into the contest, but the game just drifted away.
Hornchurch will now look to respond from three league defeat’s in a row as the Urchins face Scunthorpe United at Bridge Avenue on Saturday evening at half five.
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