Ken Aboh and Sai Sachdev scored brilliant first half goals but Boston United once again conceded twice inside the final 10 minutes to lose to Hornchurch on Bank Holiday Monday.
Aboh and Sachdev were on target either side of Jake Rooney’s unfortunate own goal as United were rewarded for a fantastic first half showing.
Hornchurch, however, kept themselves in contention and roared back in the closing stages through ex-Pilgrim Aaron Rowe on 80 minutes and fellow substitute Bobby Kelman three minutes from time.
United’s early joy through Tom Cursons was curtailed by two Mehul Karia offside flags, with the Boston striker then slamming over the crossbar after meeting Sachdev’s cross from the right.
Gavan Holohan ballooned one shot over the bar, forced Arthur Nasta into a decent save and then saw a third effort blocked.
United took the lead in the 35th minute when Sachdev flicked the ball round the corner for Terrell Agyemang to assist ABOH, who beat Nasta with a firm, rising drive.
The Urchins levelled six minutes later when ROONEY turned the ball over his own line after United had failed to deal with a Hornchurch set-piece delivery.
United were back in front in the 43rd minute when SACHDEV slammed the ball home at the back post, after Lewis Shipley had nodded the ball back across goal.
Cursons was denied spectacularly by Nasta before the break, but United found the second half a tougher affair.
Chadwick made a big save with his feet to deny Rowe, but United’s respite was short-lived. ROWE, who had spent a spell on loan at York Street from Huddersfield Town in 2019, soon turned the ball home at the back post for Hornchurch’s leveller.
Chadwick made a huge save to thwart KELMAN, but the same player soon tucked home from close-range to complete the Urchins’ stunning comeback – which was sealed by Nasta’s brilliant stoppage time save to keep out Holohan’s howitzer.
Boston (3-4-2-1): Louis Chadwick; Jake Rooney, Niall Canavan, Connor Teale (Jack Holmes 88); Sai Sachdev (George Ward 90), Terrell Agyemang, Gavan Holohan, Lewis Shipley (Kai Mauro 88); Lennon Wheeldon, Ken Aboh (Connor McBride 81); Tom Cursons (Lenell John-Lewis 81). Subs (not used): Ben Hammond, Luke Faxon (gk).
Hornchurch (4-3-3): Arthur Nasta; Joe Kizzi, Ryan Inniss, Frankie Edwards, Sam Ling; Jack Powell (Charlie Pegrum 46, Tom Dallison 90), Tom Wraight, Miles Bracking; Dominic Poleon (Aaron Rowe 46), Henry Hearn (Bobby Kelman 79), Josh Walker (Asher Yearwood 90). Subs (not used): Nathan Ferguson, Rhys Byrne (gk).
Referee: Jamie O’Connor.
Attendance: 2,047 (119 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
