The avengers

Town were thrashed 6-0 by Hornchurch at the beginning of September as Garry Hill's expensively-assembled team of ex-pros ran amok.

At the time, Hornchurch were being heavily backed financially, enabling players like former Spurs and Reading midfielder Darren Caskey to pick up massive weekly pay cheques.

But problems affecting the Coldseal double glazing and Carthium Group companies, run by Hornchurch's major backer Karl Williams, have resulted in finances being tightened at Hornchurch, leading to the departure of several of the club's highly-paid senior stars.

Despite that loss, Hornchurch's inexperienced players have settled and, after a shaky period, the Essex boys have maintained their place in the top three.

Town boss Ernie Howe and his charges know Hornchurch will represent a tough test in tomorrow's clash at The Camrose - but they are highly motivated to make amends for their humbling three months ago.

Howe (pictured above left) said: "It's a big game for us against a team we have a score to settle with.

"I remember one little lad screaming at me 'how are you top of the league', which we were then, after they'd scored their fourth.

"I turned around and rubbed my thumb and forefingers together to say it was their money that enabled them to do what they were doing to us.

"We did okay for an hour at their place, although it wasn't a level playing field last time and I didn't expect us to get a result.

"Now, with the remarkable situation that's developed there, the tables have turned, so maybe we will see a lot closer game."

Hornchurch lost 1-0 to Cambridge City on Tuesday night, a game watched by Howe and assistant boss Pete Peters.

Peters said: "We were hoping they'd have a bad result so that second place was still in reach and, hopefully, we can get it.

"However, we'll have to play a lot better than we did against Havant on Monday. We looked more like a second-from-bottom side than top of the league, losing 5-1. We just couldn't respond and looked tired.

"The Saturday/Monday schedule of games isn't one the players like, but this may be the right game for us to start again, and put the Havant result behind us.

"However, we know it will be difficult because Hornchurch still have a lot of good players."

Town's run of four games without defeat ended on Monday night on the South Coast with their heavy reverse at Havant and Waterlooville.

Peters said: "In our previous three games, we defended well but haven't been playing well or really creating the chances.

"The balance of the side isn't there at the moment and our squad is very stretched. The younger players are feeling it but we're still up there at the top.

"It's an achievement none of us were expecting and that is being forgotten by a few people.

"We do need a left-sided player, and we're still searching hard, but geographically we're not placed well for London-based players and financially we cannot compete."

Town's squad was further depleted this week following Gary Haylock's decision to join Sutton after failing to break into the first team.

When he signed the Northern Irish international, Howe felt the veteran striker's experience and hold-up play were assets that would serve Town well.

But Haylock only scored once for the senior side - in the recent 2-1 Carthium Cup defeat at Havant - and grew frustrated at his bit-part substitute role.

Peters (pictured above right) said: "He's found it difficult to push Neville Roach and Martin Whiddett as first choice, and we've also got Cristian Levis who can play as a striker.

"Gary was signed on a contract for a minimal sum. If he started scoring goals, we said we'd have a look at improving his contract, or if he found somewhere else, he could go.

"We couldn't afford to pay him what he wanted, but he was prepared to play for less here, which is why we won't get a fee for him.

"That was our agreement, so we've reluctantly let him go. It's freed up a little money, but not enough because we weren't paying him much."

After they play Hornchurch, Town are back in action within 48 hours when they visit Thurrock on Monday night.

"A good result tomorrow will set us up for Thurrock and our following game at Newport County," said Peters.