Hornchurch boss wants to maintain momentum in FA Cup tie

Urchins extended their unbeaten start to the season to seven games with a 4-1 win at Isthmian League Premier Division rivals Wingate & Finchley last weekend.

And Witham, having beaten Maldon & Tiptree 3-0 in the FA Trophy at the weekend, were due to visit Walthamstow in Isthmian North on Wednesday.

“We want to keep the momentum, but we will make changes,” said Morison.

“We want to keep getting everyone games, making sure they’re all ready when their moments come.

“When we’ve made changes before the performances have been similar.

“We’ve got to go about our jobs well and the rest will take care of itself as far as I’m concerned.”

Urchins weathered an early storm at Wingate to open the scoring on the quarter-hour mark when Joe Christou picked out Sam Higgins and he fired into the far corner.

Ryan Scott’s far post header from a Sean Scannell corner was deflected into the net three minutes later, with Ben Frempah hitting a post for the hosts before the break.

“We changed the team just before, someone wasn’t feeling too great,” explained Morison.

“We had a couple of tactical issues in the first five-10 minutes, a couple of players getting the informationg wrong, but once that was sorted it was quite comfy.

“We got a good goal from a good bit of play and scored from a corner, we had nine in the first half, which was good.

“The water break stopped our momentum a bit and they hit the post with a bicycle kick. It would’ve been a goal of the season contender, but it they didn’t really open us up.”

Higgins hit the crossbar after the restart, but substitute Ade Yusuff converted Scannell’s free-kick at the near post on 77 minutes.

And Liam Nash then crossed for Scannell to sidefoot home a fourth, before Elliot Long grabbed a late consolation for the home side.

“Second half, we wanted to keep the ball, wear them down and wait for gaps to open up,” said Morison.

“We should’ve scored more. Sam hit the crossbar, Sean was stopped by a great tackle.

“But we got another good goal from a set-play and the only frustration was conceding a sloppy goal. It was disappointing not to get a clean sheet, 4-0 looks like than 4-1.

“But we dealt with the weather well, it was sweltering hot but we looked fit and strong.”

Morison confirmed that Jordan Clark was back in training and Ollie Muldoon, having missed the Wingate game with a niggle, had returned on Tuesday, leaving just Remi Sutton unavailable, but getting closer.

“Barring any issues at training on Thursday we will have a good squad to pick from,” he said.