Hornchurch defender Ryan Scott hoping to push on in FA Cup

Hornchurch’s Ryan Scott is hoping to push on in the FA Cup this weekend.

Unbeaten Urchins welcome Fakenham Town to Bridge Avenue for a first qualifying round tie, looking to avoid an upset.

Steve Morison’s men have gone five games without defeat in the Isthmian League Premier Division so far this season, while their Thurlow Nunn League opponents have won five in a row in all competitions.

“Cup is always good fun. To be honest, I don’t know too much about them but we’ve got to respect them, they’re coming here and probably not got a lot to lose on paper,” Scott told the club website.

“Every game is a tough game and the squad has all had minutes now from the last few games, so we’re all getting to where we need to be and hopefully we can push on.”

Hornchurch enjoyed a good Bank Holiday weekend, taking four points from a possible six.

They trailed Lewes by two goals after half an hour at the Dripping Pan, but saw Liam Nash halve the deficit before netting in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw.

And Nash broke the deadlock against Hashtag United with 19 minutes remaining on Monday, before Tom Wraight’s late double sealed a 3-0 victory.

“We’ve been solid for the most part,” added centre-back Scott, who joined from Aveley in the summer after netting the goal that secured promotion to National League South – at the expense of Hornchurch – in the play-off final.

“The two goals Lewes scored at the weekend – all goals are disappointing – one was a great strike, but both come from us giving the ball away.

“I don’t think too many times we’ve been cut apart, from pre-season playing Dagenham, some good sides, and any times in the league really.

“But finally got a clean sheet, Dion [Curtis Henry] made a good save at the end as well, fair play to him, he didn’t have much else to do.”

Urchins have yet to be beaten in 11 matches – pre-season and competitive – under Morison, who succeeded Mark Stimson as manager in the summer.

And Scott admits there is a good feeling in the camp, adding: “We’ve still got a lot to learn and we’re always working on the training ground to try and build on what a new gaffer is trying to put together.

“I think week by week we’re showing it. We’ve got a few more players back from injury, I think that’s definitely helped.

“I think we played well as a whole. Good draw at Lewes, especially the way we did it, and then in the end a comfortable victory today.”

The club have confirmed the departure of one of the heroes of their FA Trophy triumph, with Ellis Brown deciding to leave in search of regular first-team football.

Brown joined from Merstham in Februry 2020, before the season was cut short due to the Covid pandemic.

And he netted the final goal in their memorable 3-1 success over Hereford at Wembley Stadium in May 2021.

A club statement said: “Thank you Ellis for being a great servant. You have certainly left your mark onthe club by scoring one of the most famous goals in our history.

“We wish you the very best of luck for the future.”