Hornchurch boss Steve Morison ready for Bank Holiday weekend

Hornchurch boss Steve Morison is looking forward to a tough Bank Holiday weekend in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Urchins head to Lewes on Saturday, before hosting Hashtag United at Bridge Avenue on Monday.

And Morison’s men go into those fixtures having taken seven points from a possible nine in the opening weekend of the campaign.

Liam Nash gave them the lead against Carshalton last weekend and it looked like being enough for a third successive win, after beating Horsham and Margate.

But the Robins struck late on to earn a point in a 1-1 draw and Morison said: “It was disappointing to draw after leading for so long.

“It was nearly a perfect week, but wasn’t quite.

“We’re still in a decent place to start with and now we’ve got two games in quick succession.”

Lewes have won all three of their matches to date, after a 2-1 victory at Potters Bar on Saturday.

And Morison expects a challenge at The Dripping Pan, adding: “Lewes have had a perfect week and it will be tough.

“It’s a good pitch, ours is excellent as well, and it’s a game everyone is looking forward to.

“They like to use the pitch and play nice football and I hope we can go there and so the same.”

Hashtag United were only formed in 2016 by YouTuber Spencer Carmichael-Brown and started in the Eastern Counties League two years later.

But they have been promoted three times in five years, winning the Isthmian North title by seven points from AFC Sudbury last season.

And they are unbeaten in their first three matches to date, having drawn 0-0 at Bognor Regis Town last weekend.

“Hashtag have had a decent start so it will be another tough test,” added Morison.

“They will bring the attention they bring and we need to be ready for the occasion.

“But we’re back at home and hopefully we get a decent crowd on the Bank Holiday.

“It’s not ideal having two games in three days, especially in non-league.

“We’ve got some lumps and bumps, which is usual when you have a three-game week.

“But we’ve got enough bodies in decent shape and we will use everybody so they all need to be ready to go.”

Hornchurch were also handed a home tie when the draw for the FA Cup first qualifying round draw was made this week and will welcome Fakenham Town on September 2.