McFarlane: Result at Aveley was important

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane was delighted with his side as they made it seven games unbeaten to briefly take over at the top of the Ryman North table.

David Knight opened the scoring inside five minutes against former club Aveley on Friday night and a brace from George Purcell gave the Urchins a 3-1 success, their fifth straight away win in all competitions.

McFarlane said: “Aveley are a good side, they were top of the table. They shaded the opening stages and could have had a couple of goals when they hit the post and bar.

“We didn’t play particularly well, but the most important thing was the result.

“We’re a new team, were trying to find our feet and have had some good results. We’ve had a win against title favourites Cray Wanderers and a draw against high-flying Thamesmead Town and now this.”

Knight’s early strike and Purcell’s double means the pair have now combined for 15 goals already this season.

McFarlane added: “When you have a strike force like we do, you’re going to score more than you don’t.

“All of the goals were top-drawer finishes, especially Purcell’s strike which would grace any league at any level.”

Hornchurch host Redbridge on Tuesday having put six past the Motormen at Oakside just two weeks ago.

But McFarlane is taking nothing for granted and said: “We approach the game with the same attitude, it’s going to be another tough game.

“I go into every game expecting to win, but I’m not going to be naïve, I know we won’t win every game.”

Despite their excellent start to the season Hornchurch have netted just three times in three home games, compared to 12 times away Bridge Avenue.

McFarlane knows they need to improve on this return on their own patch and said: “My only negative is that we need to score more goals at home.

“It could be the pressure of playing at home, but I’m certainly not putting them under any more pressure.”