After a morning of heavy rain, the sun was out for the first half, and Hornchurch, with the strong wind at their backs, created several chances but could not get the ball into the net. The second half, facing a gale, hail, sleet, rain and then sunshine, two goals from Chris Dickson ensured three points, although they had to withstand a late Haringey rally after they pulled a goal back in the 90th minute.

Despite having to contend with the downfield wind, it was Hornchurch who first threatened, a shot by Jamie Cureton sailing over.

Haringey were quick to reply, Michael Ademiluyi firing wide from a narrow angle.

Ellis Brown, signed from Merstham during the week, made two penetrating runs along the right, and his pass to Adam Cunnington almost led to the first goal, Cunnington’s cross finding Cureton, whose header was blocked.

Claudiu-Octavian Vilcu was the first Haringey player to go into the book, for what appeared to be a dive, and an indirect free kick by Joe Christou cleared the bar.

On 16, Brown played a good ball to Chris Dickson, who turned sharply but sent his shot over the bar, and a minute later it was Dickson again, running on to a through ball and taking it around Valery Pajetet, but sending his shot, from a very narrow angle, across the goal and out for a goal kick.

Joe Wright was carrying an ankle injury, but rose well to hold a Romoluwa Akinola cross which turned into a shot.

Almost on the half hour, Brown sent a good pass to Dickson, whose shot beat the keeper but went wide of the mark. It was Brown again, five minutes later, with a good run, his cross being well fielded by Pajetet. Jorge Djassi-Sambu then made a timely tackle to prevent Dickson breaking through, and at the other end Anthony McDonald sent a shot that cleared the bar, and Nathan Cooper reacted quickly as Michael Ademiluyi threatened.

With half time approaching Dickson played through to Cureton, with Pajetet saving well, and Pajetet again came to the rescue for Haringey, saving from Dickson almost on half time.

Half Time – Hornchurch 0 Haringey Borough 0.

As the second half started, the dark clouds that had been rapidly approaching decided to unleash hail, sleet and driving rain as the wind increased in intensity, and it was Hornchurch who had to face the elements.

Djassi-Sambu went into the book for a foul on Cunnington, who then made an excellent run which ended with the ball deflecting for a corner, with the ball then bobbing around in the goalmouth before eventually being booted clear.

But Hornchurch could not be denied, and when Cureton played the ball forward Chris Dickson left defenders in his wake before neatly slotting home past Pajetet. 1-0.

Haringey replied with two substitutions – Danilt Akindayini replaced Anthony McDonald and Roman Michael Percil replaced Lionel Stone, with Hornchurch sending on George Saunders for Jamie Cureton.

Saunders was soon involved, when he took a pass from Dickson, his cross being deflected for a corner, which was cleared upfield.

Olumide Oluwatimilehin became the third visiting player to be shown a yellow card, for a foul on Joe Christou.

Despite the strong wind, Hornchurch continued to force the pace, and Cunnington went close from a Saunders centre. Saunders was a constant threat out on the left, and it was his well-directed pass that eluded the defence and reached Chris Dickson, who rounded Pajetet and slotted home. 2-0.

With time running out Charlie Stimson and Alex Osborn replaced Dickson and Cunnington, and Hornchurch continued to come forward, with Saunders sending over a fine centre, which Stimson met with a diving header, a defender clearing off the line.

After dominating the play, Hornchurch had to endure a late Haringey rally, with Roman Michael Percil pulling a goal back in the final minute of normal time. 2-1.

Hornchurch could have added a third when Osborn created an opening for himself, with Pajetet saving.

Haringey threw players forward in the four minutes of stoppage time, but apart from a free kick that sailed wide they did not worry Joe Wright in the home goal.

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