Isthmian League: Mixed fortunes for rivals on opening day

Hornchurch began their centenary season with a 2-1 win at Isthmian League Premier Division rivals Horsham.

And there were opening-day wins for Billericay Town and Enfield Town, but defeats for north London neighbours Haringey Borough and Wingate & Finchley.

Ryan Scott netted in each half for Steve Morison’s Urchins, before Jack Brivio replied for Horsham in front of a 911-strong crowd in Sussex.

And the visitors held on for maximum points ahead of a midweek meeting with Margate.

Ade Azeez struck on the stroke of half-time for Gary McCann’s Billericay and it proved decisive in a 1-0 win over Kingstonian in front of 756 at New Lodge, with a trip to Cheshunt up next on Tuesday.

Enfield Town ran out 3-0 winners over Concord Rangers, meanwhile, in front of 455 at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

Reece Beckles-Richards and Sam Youngs netted three minutes apart to put Gavin Macpherson’s side on top at half-time, with Marcus Wyllie adding a last-minute third.

Town make the trip to Potters Bar in midweek.

Haringey Borough raced into a 2-0 lead at Canvey Island, as Matthew Young converted an early penalty and Kasim Aidoo doubled the advantage on 11 minutes.

But the home side hit back with three goals in the space of 13 minutes, as Mason Hall gave them hope and Bradley Sach levelled, before Evans Kouassi’s 85th-minute winner.

Tom Loizou’s men are back on home turf on Tuesday to welcome Wingate, who suffered a 4-0 home reverse against Folkestone Invicta. at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.

Ibrahim Olutade opened the scoring on 38 minutes and doubled the lead early in the second half.

Olutade completed his hat-trick on 53 minutes, with David Smith completing a miserable day for Blues in the last minute of normal time.

Enfield began life in Isthmian North with a 3-0 win over Grays Athletic, as Luke Hirst, Samrai Gebrai and Sam Bantick netted for last season’s Essex Senior League champions.

Redbridge, who were also promoted after a play-off, took the lead at Witham through Benjamin De Lacy-Turner on 18 minutes and looked set for day one success, until Andrew Tirivanhu’s 90th-minute leveller.

Brentwood Town returned empty handed from Bury Town, though, after a 2-1 defeat.

Cemal Ramadan and Luke Brown put the hosts on top in front of 470 at Ram Meadow, with George Craddock’s 89th-minute reply merely a consolation.