MARK FEELS PRIVILEGED AS URCHINS FACE FINAL
MARK STIMSON says Hornchurch feel privileged to be in the Isthmian Premier play-off final because it could have been any two of a number of teams.
The experienced Urchins boss says their Step 3 division has been a tough nut to crack.
They booked their place in the final in dramatic fashion, coming from 2-1 down with three minutes left in the semi-final against Enfield Town to win 3-2.
For Stimson that spirit summed up the changing room he has at Hornchurch, following last season’s incredible FA Trophy success despite not playing a league game after October.
“Now we are looking forward to a final and we feel privileged to be in it – the league, this, year has been really strong,” Stimson, who lost captain Lewwis Spence to illness on the morning of the Enfield game, told The
NLP. “You look at the teams who just missed out. Folkestone were second for about three months. Lewes just missed out. After ten games, I think we were 14th, Bishop’s Stortford were 13th and Cheshunt were 12. So we all made great strides. “We were suffering with injuries at the start. Cheshunt had a fantastic Trophy run and had to play catch up, so credit to both Hornchurch and Cheshunt for making this final on Monday. “I am sure both teams will be going for it. Whoever takes the chances on the day will get that dream ticket to the National League South. Hornchurch enjoyed Wednesday’s win but he knows Cheshunt will be a dangerous opponent. “If you don’t prepare right, you’ll fall short,” he said. “If you do everything you can and get beat – it’s happened to me, I’ve lost semi-finals and finals – then it’s not your turn. But I’ve been in finals when it has been my turn.
“I know the people at Cheshunt, they are fantastic people. I met with them five or six years ago and they told me their plans. And they’ve met all their targets. “Craig is a very experienced manager. I coached under him at Grays. He’s a winner.
“I look forward to seeing him. The great thing about Hornchurch is the dug-outs are so far away, we won’t have to have a row in the game!”