URCHINS ARE THE STARS NOW

Isthmian aces complete their fairytale story

- MATT BADCOCK

ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce told Hornchurch manager Mark Stimson this Trophy story could be made into a film. There wouldn’t be enough camera roll to do it justice. This tale lends itself more to a nine-part Netfl ix documentary.

An underdog triumphing against all the odds having not kicked a ball in the league since early November when the season was halted, overcoming adversity to beat five higher league sides and a wily old manager’s love affair with Non-League’s most prestigious competition. They’ve even got their own tagline as the ‘Pub Team from Hornchurch’.

The final was an epic episode in itself. Hereford were in control, cruising, thanks to Tom Owen-Evans’ early opener.

But as Bulls boss Josh Gowling admitted after, not getting a second to finish off their Pitching In Isthmian Premier opponents proved crucial.

Substitute Charlie Ruff squeezed in an equaliser on 75 minutes to set the scene for a gripping final 15.

Liam Nash, the top scorer in the Trophy this season, hammered in his seventh of this nine-game run with four minutes remaining before Ellis Brown wrapped it up with a breakaway in time added on.

Played out in front of fans, there was perhaps some disappointment at the final whistle when a minority of over-excited supporters from the Horn- church end spilled onto the pitch.