Football can be full of emotions either in jubilation of happiness because of winning a huge game that could mean a title, promotion or survival is incoming or in tears/shock of losing a huge game, which could happen in stoppage time, or a team being relegated.
Once again Hornchurch FC, who are the Isthmian League Premier Division league leaders, were in jubilation once again this weekend after staging a magical comeback from a losing position to gain a huge 2-1 win last weekend at Bognor Regis to hold the nine-point gap at the top and are edging closer to the title.
The Urchins have always risen to the occasion when being behind in games like this one and previous game this season. Hornchurch FC have been behind ten times in games this season, winning five of them, and have only lost one game so far this season still, with seven of those games under Steve Morison, who is now at rock bottom League Two side, Sutton United.
Now, Lets now have a look at Hornchurch's greatest comeback away win at Bognor Regis Town, which possibly will lead them hopefully towards the title!
Hornchurch FC arriving at Bognor Regis Town FC as they go head-to-head for crucial points in the league.
In a breathtaking display from an experienced team, which has resilience and determination over the whole season, Hornchurch FC travelled to mid-table/play-off chasers Bognor Regis Town of hoping to edge closer to the title.
Bognor Regis have had an incredible home record of not losing a home game at Nyewood Lane this season. They have beaten the likes of high flyers Chatham Town, Billericay Town and Horsham, which could mean is Hornchurch the next one in line to lose or would they dent Bognor's home record ?
The Hornchurch fans turned up in their numbers on their travels once again to try and bring the noise to help the team, which was shown during the game.
Hornchurch FC supporters on their travels, loud and proud as always, hoping for one aim !
Within the opening minutes, both sides were battling the game out at each other until the eighth minute when Alfie Bridgeman cut inside from the right and shot from distance, which the ball was curled past Joe Wright and into the net, which gave Bognor Regis the lead against the league leaders.
After the goal, both teams struggled to get opportunities, which meant Bognor Regis took their 1-0 lead into the break. Daryl McMahon, the Hornchurch FC manager, made some changes at half time including bringing on Liam Nash, would he and the substitutes make a difference? the second half started and Liam Nash did make an early impression in the opening minutes by passing the ball to Femi Akinwande, whose shot went wide and past the target.
Second half stated as Hornchurch hunted for a comeback.
But as the second half continued, it was once again very similar to the first half, both teams lacked threats and opportunities to cause both sets of goalkeepers problems. Bognor Regis played really well and certainly matched the league leaders, who were frustrated over how the game was heading. But the game certainly wasn't over yet as the official added eight minutes on in stoppage time, which certainly showed drama and heroics.
In the first minute of the eight added on, the Urchins forward, Femi Akinwande raced through the defence and was only to be brought down by Bognor Regis defender Craig Robson, who prevented a possible goal-scoring opportunity, which meant he was promptly shown a red card.
With the clock going all too slowly for the home supporters, and all too quickly for the away following, the Urchins opened up the Bognor defence. Sean Scannell moved down from the left, which his cross fount Liam Nash, who tapped the ball home into an empty net to make the game 1-1. There was no time for celebrations for Hornchurch as the ball returned to the centre spot in quick time as the Urchins sensed a winning opportunity could come their way.
The time was running away from the Urchins once again, but kept on pushing to find a moment of pure magic and in the ninety-eighth minute, they found the breakthrough to lead 2-1!
Bognor goalkeeper, Ryan Hall, spilled the ball out of his hands which then was cleared away
and fell into the path of Sean Scannell, who crossed the ball into the box and found the head of Lewis Manor, who came off the bench for the last 10 minutes of normal time, and put the ball into the net, which set sparking scenes of Jubilation among the Hornchurch players and fans.
As the final whistle went, the Hornchurch players went onto celebrate with their travelling away support as they completed a remarkable comeback against all the odds and secured a 2-1 win to edge them towards the title. The performance epitomised a 'never say die' attitude and showcased a power of belief to win a game of football.
The magical comeback and the rest of comebacks this season will certainly be remembered by the Hornchurch fans as these are defining moments that wins league titles. That huge win now leaves Hornchurch five wins (15 points) from a possible eleven games to win the league title and earn promotion to the National League South, which surely will be done with weeks to come. But over the past years, Hornchurch do know how to throw it all away, will that happen again? We will all soon find out.
The Urchins face fourth place play off chasers and Essex rivals Billericay Town next this weekend, who are currently on a poor run of results and are hopeful of causing a upset at Bridge Avenue, the home of Hornchurch FC. Kick off is at 3pm.
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