This report is going to be one of the harder to write, as the game itself was one lacking in real quality, and certainly low on goalscoring chances.
In terms of team changes, Greg Williams made his return from suspension, in place of the injured Alvin Bubb. Steve Gallen came in for another injury casualty, Matt Hayward, and played at right-back. The Leader slotted in at left-back, with Roni Joe returning to midfield, Dean Coppard switching to centre back and Adam Campion swapping to the left-wing.
Aylesbury came out of the blocks fastest, and pressed forward early on. The home side suffered the early blow of losing Roni Joe with a thigh strain after just five minutes. Before he was replaced though, Adam Campion connected with a well-struck volley which was deflected wide. Warren Williams then replaced Joe on the right of midfield.
Chris Bangura then came close with an imitation of Freddie Kanoute's debut Tottenham goal, as he struck the ball after being allowed to turn inside the box. The ball was just held onto by Urchins' keeper Daniel Gay.
Some good play by Warren Williams on the right wing sent the ball to Dean Canoville in the area, who saw his effort blocked. Bangura then had another chance, once again on the turn in the area, saved by Gay.
Hornchurch's first attack after half an hour saw a deep cross attempted to be slid home at the far post, only for the ball to end up in the side netting.
Campion had a goal ruled out for offside just before half time. The ball was crossed in and flicked off a defender, before Campion met the ball at the far post with a looping header.
Half-time and the Ducks were comfortably outplaying the visitors, and were looking odds on for a victory, just as long as they could find the killer touch up front they lacked in the first half.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Hornchurch
George Borg played his hand at the start of the second half, making two substitutions, and it paid off as Hornchurch took the lead ten minutes after half time. A long-throw was launched into the area by Jude Stirling, and as the Ducks defence failed to clear the ball, Jon Keeling struck the ball home. 1-0 Hornchurch
Bangura then had an excellent chance to draw the Ducks level. Some excellent attacking play from Dean Canoville put Bangura clean through, and with the whole goal to aim at, he somehow managed to sidefoot the ball wide.
The game was pretty much wrapped in the 64th minute, as Hornchurch doubled their advantage. A quick break away saw Aylesbury struggle to get back, and Andrew Martin scored. 2-0 Hornchurch
This goal seemed to take it out of the home side, and nothing they could do could make an impression. Hornchurch were dominating, and Aylesbury couldn't get near their goal. The lead was nearly made three when the home defence, and especially Dean Coppard, were caught ball watching and Andrew Martin stole in unmarked to strike an effort against the post.
Myron Ramsey came on with 10 minutes remaining to try and liven the Ducks up, but it didn't really help matters. Aylesbury, looking drained, failed to create anything further. Adam Wheeler made a good, late save to deny the visitors a third. Ramsey then had an effort, but he rather snatched at the shot and it ended up well wide.
In the end it really was a game of two halves. The first half was all about how bad Hornchurch were. Had Campion's goal not been disallowed, or had we had more a cutting edge up front, then the result would have been very different. The second half saw Hornchurch liven up and dominate proceedings, leaving the Ducks scrapping for any chance they could get.
