The penultimate away fixture of the regular season sees the Fleet make the short trip to Hornchurch for a big top-of-the-table clash with both sides in the top five. It’s only the Fleet’s second competitive match at Bridge Avenue, following an FA Cup tie more than 20 years ago.
Form guide
An exciting affair at Maidstone United on Easter Monday saw the Urchins on the wrong end of a nine-goal thriller. The Stones raced into a three-goal lead and Hornchurch did well to bring it back to 4-4 before the break – but an early second-half strike from Sam Corne secured the points for Maidstone. A Good Friday at home to Dagenham was a more favourable result for Hornchurch with Josh Rees, ex-Fleet defender Giles Phillips and George Alexander on the scoresheet.
The Fleet have picked up three successive victories against Slough Town, Tonbridge Angels and Dover Athletic. A big victory on Easter Monday saw the Fleet put four past county rivals Dover with Ronny Nelson, Ben Chapman, Charlie Seaman and Kwesi Appiah all finding the net.
Last time out
The reverse fixture in September saw the spoils shared. Josh Coley (below) opened the scoring for the Fleet but Harry Gibbs snatched the equaliser midway through the second-half in what was Hornchurch’s first ever visit to us.
Who’s who
Henry Hearn had a successful loan spell with the Urchins from Millwall, scoring eight times in 17 appearances last season before making the move permanent in the summer. This season, the 21-year-old has scored nine times in 29 appearances.
Dominic Poleon (below) signed for the Urchins in February from Farnborough. The 32-year-old spent five years at the Kuflink Stadium for the Fleet, making 169 appearances for the club and scoring 81 goals along the way. Poleon, the Golden Boot winner for the division in 2022/23, is the Fleet’s leading scorer of the 21st century and won the player of the year award here in our promotion season.
Other former Fleet players in the Hornchurch squad include Darren McQueen, Myles Weston and Giles Phillips.
The manager
Another Fleet connection, Daryl McMahon arrived at Hornchurch in January 2024 and guided the Urchins to promotion from the Isthmian Premier. The former Fleet player and manager first arrived in 2013, leaving the managerial hotseat in 2018 before joining Macclesfield Town and later Dagenham & Redbridge.
Tickets & Segregation
This fixture will be fully segregated.
Tickets are now on sale through the Hornchurch online club box office until 2pm on the day of the game.
Fleet supporters must purchase their tickets in advance. Tickets will not be available on the gate for away supporters.
Fleet supporters should purchase tickets from the “Away General Admission” tab. All tickets will be scanned on entry and any invalid tickets rejected e.g. entering the Away area with a General Admission ticket or entering the Home area with an Away General Admission ticket.
Any supporter found in the incorrect area will be ejected from the Stadium.
To purchase your tickets, please visit the club box office here.
Prices
The admission prices are as follows.
- Adults: £15
- Concessions (65+, Student with ID, Disabled, Armed Forces, Blue Light Card): £10
- Youth (12-18): £5
- U12: Free when accompanied by an adult. If not, a youth ticket must be purchased.
- Family (2x Adult/ 2x Youth): £35 (Home End – Online Only)
Turnstiles will be open from 12.30pm until 15 minutes after kick off, after which they will close.
A full stadium map can be found here.
Parking
The Hornchurch car park is strictly for players and officials only, unless a Disabled Parking Spot is requested. All disabled parking must be booked in advance by email to [email protected]. This request must be made no later than 24 hours before kick-off.
Street parking is available along Bridge Avenue and opposite the ground in Brookdale Avenue. Please be aware that there will be increased traffic enforcement in this area on matchdays due to parking across driveways and on double yellow lines. Please park responsibly and with consideration to local households.
Hornchurch highly recommend travelling by public transport where possible.
Entry
Fleet supporters will enter the ground via Abraham Court, opposite the Windmill pub. Hornchurch volunteers will be on hand to direct you to the correct entrance on Upminster Road.
The away supporters have been provided with a maximum allocation of 600. They will be housed in the Rom Valley Glass & Glazing Stand (seating) and the adjacent terracing which is partially covered.
The turnstiles will be open from 12.30pm and close 15 minutes after kick-off.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited from the stadium.
- Alcohol
- Illegal substances
- Pyrotechnics
- Air horns and whistles
- Weapons and sharp objects
- Glass bottles
- Footballs
In addition, due to a council ruling, dogs are not permitted inside the stadium. Assistance dogs are permitted, but only by prior arrangement by emailing [email protected]
Food & Drink
Hornchurch will operating six outlets for this fixture, four available for home supporters and two for away supporters.
- The Clubhouse (Home Only)
- Jimmy Mac’s Bar on Hasbeen’s Hill (Home Only)
- The Temper Gold Bar within the Stadium (Home Only)
- MJA Urchins Diner (Home Only)
- Caribbean Food Outlet (Away Only)
- Pop-up Bar serving Alcohol (Away Only)
As a conscious effort to the environment, re-usable eco-cups are used at all Hornchurch home bars. These have a deposit of £1, with refunds only available from the clubhouse.
Programme, 50/50 and Club Shop
Match programmes and 50/50 raffle tickets will be on sale inside the stadium.
Cash/Card is accepted for Programmes, which cost £3.
50/50 tickets are cash only with the draw announced at half time.
The club shop, accessible to home supporters only, will be open prior to kick off, at half time and 15 minutes after the final whistle. Cash/Card is accepted. A selection of Hornchurch FC club badges will be available for purchase at the Away end of the ground.
Smoking Policy
Smoking inside the stadium is not permitted, apart from Hasbeen’s Hill and by the front gate.
