Hornchurch boss proud of squad’s efforts in FA Cup

Urchins fought back from two goals down at Parkside Stadium on Saturday as Liam Nash and Tommie Hoban, in stoppage time, netted to earn a replay.

And Sam Higgins put them ahead back at Bridge Avenue on Tuesday, only for Charlee Hughes to level four minutes from time.

Matt Rush sealed victory for the National League South Millers with six minutes of extra time left, booking a home date with Barnet, to leave Morison to wonder what might have been.

“I’m really proud of their efforts. Aveley had a full-strength team out for two games and had that moment,” he said.

“We had a makeshift squad. I brought a player in on Friday and the lads stood up, gave a good account of themselves.

“We were decent the whole game but let ourselves down from two set-plays.

“But we got what we deserved, a draw was a fair result and we could’ve nicked it at the end. The game came at the wrong time from a squad perspective.

“The lads worked their socks off, we did well to get what we deserved with the replay and I played with what I had on Tuesday – every player I had fit and available.

“There was no resting players. It’s where we were.

“Nashy had rolled his ankle on Saturday, Higgo was struggling, George Saunders was struggling, but they started.

“I had a youngster on the bench, Ryan Scott landed at 5pm after his holiday and got to the ground for 8pm to sit on the bench.

“The Barnet game was irrelevant unless we got through. We couldn’t think about that. It would’ve been an attractive tie if we’d got through. It is what it is.”

Urchins turn their attention to the FA Trophy this weekend as they travel into Suffolk to take on Leiston in the third qualifying round of that competition.

The Isthmian League Premier Division leaders then welcome Hastings United in a rearranged fixture on Tuesday and Morison hopes to have more options available.

“We’ll go to Leiston, put a team together and see how we get on, keep ticking the games off,” he added.

“Hastings we didn’t want the games mounting up towards the end of the season.

“Hopefully we’ll be in a different position with a few coming back and we can get back to having a near full squad again.”