Bury Town took the points in a pulsating game that wasn`t settled until the third minute of stoppage time against a strong Hornchurch side who played with only ten men for 40 minutes.
Hornchurch started well and Frankie Curley went close with a header following a neat build up. Both sides then had half chances, but the visitors were having more of the play and Lewis Smith’s header just cleared the bar.
However it was Bury who drew first blood on 23 minutes when Sam Reed reacted quickly to touch home Lee Reed’s corner in at the near post.
At the other end, a defensive slip let in Curley, but Marcus Garnham deflected his effort over the bar. Hornchurch continued to have more of the possession, but the Bury defence held firm and Garnham was not seriously tested. Just before the break, Hornchurch defender Reiss Noel was cautioned for a reckless challenge.
Half Time: Bury Town 1 AFC Hornchurch 0
The second half started with the visitors on the attack, but they were still unable to break through and Bury came back strongly.
On 50 minutes Hornchurch were reduced to ten men when Reiss Noel was sent off for a second yellow card, and almost immediately Bury came close to doubling the advantage when they had two efforts blocked in a goalmouth scramble, and keeper Joe Woolley saved at the feet of Sam Reed.
Despite being a man short Hornchurch were still seeing plenty of the ball, but Bury continued to look dangerous and John Sands had a 20 yard drive tipped over by Woolley and Sam Reed shot straight at the keeper when through on goal as they began to find gaps in the visitors defence.
With seven minutes left Hornchurch levelled the scores with a disputed penalty for handball against Sam Nunn which was converted by Jonathon Hunt.
In an exciting finale Michael Spencer missed a glorious chance to win it for the visitors when shooting wide from close range in the second minute of stoppage time.
A minute later a Bury break down the left saw Kieran Leabon`s cross half cleared and John Sands picking up the loose ball to fire low past Woolley to give Bury an important victory to the delight of the home fans.
Full Time Bury Town 2 AFC Hornchurch 1 |
