URCHINS TAKE BIG STRIDE IN TITLE BID

HORNCHURCH inched closer to the title with victory over Billericay, but the score doesn't necessarily tell the full story of a pulsating, full-blooded game.

- Stephen McEnnerney

The Urchins were first to show, and typically they did so via a swift counter-attack. Liam Nash and Sean Scannell exchanged passes.

Scannell picked out Nash at the back stick but, stretching, he could not direct his effort on target.

At the other end, Ryan Henshaw hit one from 35 yards but Joe Wright tipped it over.

Daryl McMahon's Urchins then went close when Mauro Da Silva Vilhete's low drive was saved by Dan Wilks after another counter-attack before Femi Akinwande tapped in from close range to give the Urchins the lead on 28 minutes.