Essex League: Gordon relishing Hornchurch summit meeting

Hornchurch captain Billy Gordon admits he is looking forward to their summit meeting with Colchester this weekend.

Gordon’s men sit 17 points clear at the top of the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division table after eight matches.

And they are hoping to widen the gap further at Harrow Lodge as the season reaches its midway point on Saturday.

“Colchester will be a tough game. They’re a good all-round side but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“Muzza [Paul Murray] is banned for two weeks but what can you do? We’ve got to go out and people need to step up.”

Hornchurch turn their attention to the Conference Cup on Sunday, when they host Surrey League outfit East Molesey.

And having seen his side progress in the Dukes Essex League Cup with a win at Harold Wood last weekend, Gordon would like more success.

“East Molesey have got an unbelievable ground and it would’ve been nice to play there again, but it is a bit of a trek,” he added.

“Some teams don’t travel well on Sundays and can have players unavailable, but if they’re full strength it will be tough.”

Hornchurch visited Buckhurst Hill last Saturday and Gordon chose to bat after winning the toss.

Openers Jalpesh Vijay (30) and Paul Murray (53) put on 57, but Hornchurch slipped to 126-6 before Gordon and Arthur George shared 81.

“Muz and Jalpesh started well, as they have all season, but there were a couple of loose shots that shouldn’t have been played that left us 126-6,” said Gordon.

“Arthur batted brilliantly. He’s shown glimpses and has got a good technique so he might get up the order.”

George hit eight fours in his 50 from 72 balls, while Gordon top scored with 60 from 120 deliveries before being run out as his side reached 271.

“Gav [Griffiths] called for three and I’d been batting for about four hours!” he added

“It was a decent total in the end, but the wicket wasn’t doing much at all. It was quite flat and pretty difficult [for bowlers].”

The hosts reached 119-2 in reply and were still in the hunt at 194-5, before Ronnie Saunders, Adeel Malik (3-64) and Griffiths struck in quick succession.

And Griffiths finished with 5-47 as Hornchurch wrapped up a 64-run win.

“Gav bowled superbly. He has bowled well for a few weeks and been a bit unlucky but he came good when we needed it,” said Gordon.

“They’re a decent side. They were missing a couple but it was a good game and even the umpires enjoyed it. I think they can cause a few upsets.”

Hornchurch were nearly upset at Wood the next day, after Gordon (55 not out), Malik (40) and Luke Edwards (35) led them to 237.

Dan Carter (3-35) was the pick of the home bowling, but Saunders (3-42) struck twice in the first over of Wood’s reply to leave them 1-2 and picked up a third scalp with the total on 34.

Craig Perrin (54) put on 91 with Shahbaz Khan, who saw Maruf Chowdhury dominate a 63-run stand with 46 off 26 balls.

But Khan was then stumped by Murray off Malik for 92 and Wood suffered two late run outs as they came up short on 235-8.

Hornchurch will visit Hutton in the quarter-finals.