Hornchurch captain Billy Gordon gearing up for big weekend

Hornchurch remain 32 points clear at the top of the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division with four games left after rain wiped out last weekend’s schedule.

Billy Gordon’s men saw their home game with fourth-placed Chelmsford fall victim to the downpours which led to widespread cancellations, but they are set to host lowly relegation-threatened Chingford at Harrow Lodge Park on Saturday.

And they have another home tie against Kent Premier outfit Blackheath in the Conference Cup on Sunday.

“It’s another big weekend coming up,” he said.

“I think limited overs is more suited to us, the way we play.

“We’ve just got to carry on and not get complacent. Three more wins and we’re definitely there.

“Everyone is back this Saturday, but we’re missing Les [Edwards], [Marc] Whitlock and Arthur [George] on Sunday.

“A few of the boys played in a friendly against Blackheath last year, I wasn’t available. Jas [Bassan] used to play for us and is a good player.

“It looks like they’re having a mixed season [down in eighth place], but you never know. If we play to our ability we’ve got a good chance of beating anyone on the day.

“Fingers crossed the weather is alright!”

Hornchurch go into it on the back of a Dukes Essex League Cup quarter-final win at Hutton last Sunday.

They returned to the Polo Field Ground having seen the original tie washed out towards the end of the first innings a week earlier.

And after being put into bat, they accumulated runs steadily to post 259-8 from their 45 overs.

Paul Murray (20), Jalpesh Vijay (35) and Luke Edwards (37) all made starts in the top order, before George Hankins shared 48 runs for the sixth wicket with Arthur George (21) – the best of the innings .

Hankins eventually fell for 86 off 68 balls, having hit four sixes and six fours, as Joseph Parry (3-33) took the bowling plaudits for a Hutton attack which conceded 18 wides.

The hosts slipped to 28-2 in reply, before Parry (27) and Joel Hussain (45) shared a day’s best 54.

Cameron Tredgett (20), James Grady (40) and last man Connor Limrick (20 not out) also made starts but Hutton were dismissed for 199 with three overs to spare.

In-form Adeel Malik (4-43), Hankins (3-54) and Gordon (2-15) did most of the damage with the ball to set up a semi-final meeting with Brentwood, as Wanstead host Hadleigh in the other last-four tie.

“It felt like we hadn’t played for ages with a few being rained off recently,” added Gordon.

“It was nice to be out there and we did well on a wet wicket.

“I was going to bowl after seeing the pitch, but the boys did well. Luke batted really well and it was a good score on that wicket.

“We then bowled really well. It was a solid performance all round without Les, Ronnie [Saunders] and Whitlock. Everyone stood up.

“It’s nice to get into the semi-final and nice to keep winning.”