ACE SEAN A MARK-ED MAN FOR BOSS STIMO
Hat-trick hero lifts new boss
AFC Hornchurch completed a stunning comeback from two goals down to earn Mark Stimson his first league win as Urchins boss, opening up a little breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.
Harlow had gone ahead towards the end of the first half, but the visitors pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time.
Three goals in the second period, including Sean Marks completing his hattrick, secured an important win.
AFC Hornchurch had the best opportunity to open the scoring after a quarter of an hour when Jay Porters’ low cross found Lee Prescott at the back post, but he somehow scuffed the shot in front of an open goal.
The Hawks capitalised on the let-off as they controlled the rest of the half, taking the lead in the 37th minute.
Nathan Koranteng flicked
on a long-ball forward to Emile Acquah, who lobbed onrushing Hornchurch stopper Callum Chafer and in.
Four minutes later the lead was doubled, as Tom Hitchcock found Matt Foy in the centre, who picked his spot in the bottom corner.
Acquah had a glorious chance to make it three on the stroke of half time when he was picked out in the middle by Koranteng, but he dragged the shot wide of the post.
Instead it was the visitors who pulled a goal back in first-half injury time courtesy of an error from goalkeeper Josh Bexon.
He spilled a simple cross only a couple of yards out, and Marks reacted quickly to capitalise on the mistake and tap into the net.
After stepping up a gear, the equaliser came in the 63rd minute. Marks’ cross from the right found leftback Jay Porter inside the box and he headed in.
Just a minute later the roles were reversed as Hornchurch completed their comeback. Porters’ run down the left produced an inch-perfect cross for Marks to head home.
The momentum was with the visitors and they killed off the Hawks when Marks scored a third in the 78th minute.
Lewwis Spence burst down the right wing to put a cross on a plate for the striker to tap in and secure his side’s first league win since early October. STAR MAN: Sean Marks (Hornchurch) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★