Match Preview

Canvey Island face a tough test on the road ahead of Christmas, as they travel to league leaders Hornchurch in the Isthmian League Premier.

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Our Opponents

The Urchins have enjoyed a remarkable start to the league season so far, winning 14 of their 18 games, and having only lost once since the start of the season. They've been imperious in front of goal in that time, only failing to score in just 2 of those games.

Until their last matchday, many in the league would have been forgiven for thinking that their current form could capture an unbeaten season in their charge for promotion. However, their 8 point lead at the summit was cut to 5, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat away at their closest challengers - newly promoted Chatham Town.

Manager Steve Morrison, touted by many for jobs in the football league over the summer, was a serious coup for the Urchins, who replaced long serving boss Mark Stimson following last year's playoff final defeat.
They've assembled a squad of some of the best players from last seasons Isthmian League, including the acquisition of Ryan Scott from Aveley, Femi Akinwande from Hastings United and have retained last seasons talisman Liam Nash.
Also in their ranks are a host of former football league names, such as Sean Scanell and Tommie Hoban - both players who have applied their trade in the EFL Championship in the past.

Our last competitive meeting with the Urchins came back in January this year, as goals from Evans Kouassi, Bradley Sach and Conor Hubble saw us grab a 3-1 at Bridge Avenue to complete a league double over our opponents.

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, will be hoping some of that past magic finds them again, as they look to get back to winning ways, following on from a run of three defeats in the league.

The most recent of those came with a poor showing at the Moviestarr Stadium on Saturday, where Potters Bar Town took more points from the Gulls in a 4-1 win.
Despite Conor Hubble halving the deficit in the second half, it was far too little in a miserable display, and the Gulls will know they'll need to be at their best to pick up points from some tough games across a busy festive fixture list in order to avoid being sucked further down the league standings - with a hectic January approaching.

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Yellow Army, we appreciate all of you who have stuck with us lately, despite recent form and the busy Christmas period battling with a busy fixture list.

The team will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday as they approach the midway point of the season, and they'll need your support, loud and proud as ever - with that behind us, everyone in the division is beatable.

We wish everyone travelling a safe journey to Hornchurch.

Come on you Gulls

Kick Off Time - 3:00pm

Admission Prices
Adults - £12
Concessions - £7
Young Persons (12-16) - £3
U12s - FREE

Advance Tickets
https://hornchurchfc.ktckts.com/event/hch2324ilp11/hornchurch-vs-canvey-island

Address
Hornchurch Stadium
Bridge Avenue
Upminster, London
RM14 2LX

Parking
There is limited parking available at the Hornchurch Stadium via the Bridge Avenue entrance.
Additional parking cam be found on the side roads nearby, but please keep our hosts neighbours in mind if using this option.

Public Transport
Train - Upminster (c2c) 0.7m
Upminster Bridge (District Line) 0.4m

Bus - Upminster Windmill (248/370/646/652)