MikeMike

I thought Barking were installing an all weather pitch for this season? They're not cheap are they so maybe there's been an injection of funds? Or are there some hefty grants around for that sort of thing? I notice no-one is commiserating with Harlow also being in the South Central and also having longer distances than the Isthmian North and I think that is right and proper.

Email address on the "Club and Directions" tab looks incorrect "Email: enquiries@@afchornchurch.com" - 2 "at" signs. Wonder whether the email address will also change to "@hornchurchfc.com" like sponsorship@hornchurchfc.com. on the Matchball sponsorship page "Car Parking" paragraph on club and directions page is indented.

It is so unusual to be this late in the season and for so many play-off/relegation places still to be decided. So Dorking are champions and Harlow are relegated and realistically so are Burgess Hill unless they can reverse a 14 goal difference against Wingate&Finchley but who will take the final drop position between Whitehawk and Wngate&Finchley? Haringey have made the play-offs but could be 2nd, 3rd or 4th but they seem to having a dip and face Dorking who still seem to be going for it. Tonbridge are also guaranteed a place but only because Carshalton and Stortford face each other. All four places are available to the Angels. Carshalton could fall at the final hurdle, or they could finish 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or 5th). Stortford are in a similar position to Carshalton and this fixture is maybe the most enticing for the neutral. Merstham are only outside the play-offs on goal difference and away to Worthing isn't the best fixture for them to creep in. Equally Worthing would also have liked something easier for the last chance of the dice. Folkestone have had a marvellous April to also get themselves in with a chance and whilst home to Bognor won't be a walk it is maybe the easiest amongst their rivals. I'm pleased we don't need a result at Lewes and can just enjoy the game regardless of result but would be nice to keep 15th place.

I am hoping they drop straight through into Essex Senior League.

I am hoping for a scoreline that matches Harlow's efforts against Kingstonian, Worthing and WinFinchley.

Alex will be pleased that the maths has been done and we'll be in the Bostik Premier league next year One off the bar, one off the post and several other chances and I started to get nervous that it was going to be one of those games where we do everything but score. And then a 45th minute penalty, the Hornchurch curse strikes again, but this time an instant response with a well taken Lewwis Spence strike to go in level. The players came out and I'm thinking let's get the next ten minutes over without conceding and was overjoyed as Ronnie Winn gets us in front inside a minute with a 20 yard strike. And then another two minutes later. Hornchurch managed the game well for the next half hour or so and like the first half had a number of opportunities to extend the lead further.So, when Kingstonian got their second it did add again to the nerve levels for the final ten minutes. Well done fellas in scorching hot conditions.

*Checks calendar to see if it is 1st April* Given that most officials don't always manage to measure the 10 yards for a free kick I anticipate carnage as they try to also to simultaneously keep the offence and defence apart.

Yep, looked like it was going to be a repeat of Bishops Stortford where we did everything but score. A neutral would have had difficulty in deciding who was the play-off team. Second half was much improved and the tactical switch to three in midfield to let Saunders roam worked well. A textbook example of why you play to the 95th minute and well done to Sonny, not very many senior minutes but composure beyond his years in a crowded penalty area. The result also crowns Dorking Wanderers as champions, another team much improved from last year but also now playing on 4g this year - is it just coincidence with Worthing in 4th that's 3 out of 4 although Harlow also have 4g and another heavy defeat at home today has moved them to the bottom of the table. So, still 8 points clear of the relegation zone and only 4 games left, two of which are at home against the bottom two. Still not mathematically safe but difficult to see Hornchurch not in the Premier League next year.

Well they were quite good weren't they? The worst of all possible starts and a penalty leaving us two down inside twenty minutes and I feared it was going to be a fearsome beating. A few scares followed but we settled and maybe if we could have nicked one before half time it would have been a different story. Seemed more in the game second half although maybe Worthing were just managing the game, certainly still vicious on the break and Callum earnt his money with some fantastic saves. The third was one that was reminiscent of Sean Marks, ball whipped in from wing and tapped home from close range. A consolation goal in added time for Joe Christou and we all went home. Again though, most results around us were favourable (especially Harlow losing - I hope we put them down) so limited damage. Eight points clear of relegation and five games left, three against lower place teams leaves fate in our own hands and am confident we'll still be in the Premier next year. One final note, how fantastic to see so many kids out on the pitch after the game. The sort of community club that I feel Hornchurch are aspiring to.

10.00 - Struggle into semi-consciousness 10.25 - Stumble downstairs to kitchen 10.30 - Tea and toast 10.45 - Program SatNav and check traffic 11.00 - General faffing around 12.10 - Put coat etc. into car 12.15 - Leave home to pick up fellow travellers and head coastwards 14.00 - Arrive in Worthing 14.10 - Cuss as bets on lunchtime kick off goes tits up

My flabber was completely ghasted when I heard the result of the appeal. It is the first appeal at this level that I have ever seen upheld, even other appeals with what seemed to be compelling video evidence. I am 100% certain that without the video there wouldn't even have been an appeal. The question of retrospective action is tricky. Can a red card/ban be given for simulation/unsporting behaviour (I can't think offhand of any other offence that could be applied) so maybe a yellow would be the worst case applicable. I wonder also whether either of the officials would receive a sanction because it has been proven that what they thought they saw didn't happen and for something so game changing you have to be 100% and can't be guessing. I only give the minutiae of the professional game a passing interest but I have heard of retrospective punishments given after trial by TV. Have these been for something of this nature or is it more off the ball stuff that got missed? Presumably it is the FA who would instigate such proceedings rather than the club so, again, I would doubt anything further would happen even if there is precedent at the higher levels of the pyramid. And even if that kind of common sense prevailed it would likely only be Margate that got informed. And then of course there is the question of hypocrisy. I bet that player, indeed any player, would tell you they hate cheating in the game yet there's a high probability that his team mates gave him high-fives and the club did nothing. I would like to think that if a (AFC) Hornchurch player had done the same they would have been sanctioned by the club but maybe that is just a pipe dream and winning at any cost is all that counts. In this matter I am in agreement with Alex Sharp's notes in the following home match program, I could easily beat my children at any board game by cheating but where is the satisfaction and challenge?

Potters Bar have until the end of the month to provide additional covered areas for 200 more people or they'll be relegated. If they have a collection I am minded to contribute as I prefer these things settled on the pitch. I'll be keeping an eye on Harlow vs Wingate and Kingstonian vs Burgess Hill as well and hope they go our way as well.

A terrific well done to the hardy souls who walked to today's game, I hope the achy muscles ease quickly. That was as tough as I had anticipated it would be but I thought we'd done enough to get a point. Under a lot of pressure for most of the game but never seemed overwhelmed. Chances were few and far but never any attempt to just park the bus. Always a bit gutting when the winner comes so late but it was well worked. Didn't seem too many complaints to the offside flag for Charlie's goal, looked OK to me at the half way line At least the other results limited the damage and with four of the remaining eight games against teams around and about us our fate is in our hands. Oh, and so, so quiet for a crowd of 509!! Just as well the Urchins behind the goal were in attendance.

Just watched the goals again on AFCHTV YouTube channel - my oh my oh my.

@Shanghai I've just read there is free roast potatoes at half time. You just need some green beer and all your dreams will have come true.