Match Preview: Hornchurch (A) - 22nd November 2025

Photo courtesy of Fin Hall

By Josh Cole

Another long away trip awaits The Stags on Saturday as we head for Essex to face top of the league Hornchurch.

Last time out AFC Totton progressed into the next round of the FA Trophy by beating Folkestone Invicta, 1-2! Click here to read the match report.

You can also catch up with the post-match interviews with Jimmy Ball and Christos Batzelis after that win to hear what they had to say!

HORNCHURCH – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Urchins currently top the tree with 38 points from 17 games. 25/26 started for Hornchurch in the best possible way, with four wins out of their first four Enterprise National League South matches. Those wins came against Weston-super-Mare (3-2), Eastbourne Borough (1-2), Enfield Town (0-1), and Farnborough (3-1).

They ended August still undefeated with a 3-3 draw away at Salisbury and a 3-0 win against Chippenham Town. In the league their good form continued with a win over Dorking (1-0) and a draw away against Ebbsfleet (1-1).

However, their FA Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle, with Hornchurch losing to National League North side Peterborough Sports 2-1. This didn’t slow down their league form as they bounced back to go unbeaten in another four games with two draws and two wins.

Hornchurch just kept winning, on all fronts, with a win in the Essex Senior Cup against Redbridge (1-3), and they won back-to-back league games against Hampton & Richmond, 2-1, as well as a great win away at Torquay United, 1-2.

After another draw and win in the league, after 17 matches unbeaten in the ENLS, their first loss finally came on the 10^th of November, losing 2-0 to fellow Essex side, Chelmsford.

In their last two games they required penalties to beat Brentwood Town in the FA Trophy after the 90 minutes finished 0-0, and Hornchurch also beat Grays Athletic in the Essex Senior Cup, 4-0 in midweek.

LAST FIVE: HORNCHURCH

Vs Grays Atheltic | Home | Essex Senior Cup Round of 16 | Won 4-0

Goalscorers: Myles Weston 25’, Charlie Ruff 48’, Charlee Adams 50’, Darren McQueen 75’

Vs Brentwood Town | Away | FA Trophy 2^nd Round | Drew 0-0 (Hornchurch won 2-4 on pens)

Vs Chelmsford | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-0

Vs Tonbridge Angels | Away | ENLS | Won 0-1

Goalscorer: Harry Hearn 63’

Vs Chesham United | Home | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Harry Hearn 81’

 
LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON

Vs Folkestone Invicta | Away | ENLS | Won 1-2

Goalscorers: Malachi Linton 38’ & Scott Rendell 89’

Vs Worthing | Away | ENLS | Lost 4-0

Vs Ebbsfleet United | Home | ENLS | Lost 0-2

Vs Maidenhead United | Home | ENLS | Won 2-1

Goalscorers: Joe Oastler 24’ & Christie Ward 70’

Vs Macclesfield FC | Away | FA Cup 1^st Round Proper | Lost 6-3

Goalscorers: Tony Lee 9’ & Scott Rendell 17’ 27’

COMPARING THE STATS (all comps)

 
OPPOSITION PLAYERS TO WATCH:

DEFENCE: HARRY GIBBS

Gibbs is a versatile defender capable of playing at centre half or full back. After beginning his senior career with Brentwood Town, he joined Aveley in April 2016, going on to make more than 100 appearances for the club, with his time there briefly interrupted by a return to Brentwood.

He moved to Hornchurch in October 2020, but the league season was curtailed due to Covid-19, limiting him to two friendly appearances. He was also unable to feature in Hornchurch’s run to the FA Trophy final as he was cup-tied from his time at Aveley. He made two further appearances in 2021 before rejoining Aveley in November 2021.

Back at Aveley, he played a major role in the club’s rise into the National League, serving as club captain and amassing extensive experience at National League level.

MIDFIELD: Tom Wraight

Wraight joined Hornchurch in December 2021 from Chelmsford City, making an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal on his debut, a 2–1 Isthmian Premier Division victory at home to Kingstonian on 4 December 2021.

He had previously made 79 appearances and scored 17 goals for Chelmsford after signing from Maidstone United in May 2018 and was appointed club captain for the 2021/22 season. His earlier career included spells with Tilbury, Witham Town, and East Thurrock United.

He made his 150^th Hornchurch appearance in the Essex Senior Cup Final on the 18^th of March 2025 and has been a key player for Hornchurch ever since he joined.

ATTACK: Angelo Balanta

Balanta is an experienced winger who spent seven years with Queens Park Rangers, during which time he gained first-team exposure through loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, MK Dons, and Yeovil Town.

He joined Bristol Rovers in 2014, before moving to Carlisle United the following season. In 2016, he signed for Boreham Wood, where he became a key figure over two seasons, making 104 appearances and scoring 24 goals. His performances earned him a move to Dagenham & Redbridge, where he spent five years and worked under current Urchins manager Daryl McMahon.

Last season, Angelo returned to Boreham Wood, featuring regularly in the National League South.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee - Matthew Norton

Assistant Referee 1 - Andrew Tregoning

Assistant Referee 2 - Mudiwa Manyange

Fourth Official - Kane Dempster

GO STAGS