Chapman expecting a reaction

Lowestoft Town are looking to kick-start their Rymans League Premier campaign tonight when they face Hornchurch at Crown Meadow, still smarting from their opening day defeat at Carshalton.

Lowestoft Town are looking to kick-start their Rymans League Premier campaign tonight when they face Hornchurch at Crown Meadow, still smarting from their opening day defeat at Carshalton.

Everything went wrong for the Trawlerboys on Saturday, starting with a hold-up in London traffic which badly disrupted their pre-match routine.

But joint manager Mickey Chapman is not allowing them to feel sorry for themselves, saying: “You're always going to have days like that in football. What matters is how you respond - and we've got a lot of boys who are desperate to put things right against Hornchurch.

“Saturday was a reality check for us. It was a reminder that this is a tougher league and brought us back down to earth after a brilliant pre-season. We've only lost one of nine games, but it just happened to be the one which had points attached.

“We're looking for a reaction, and I think we're going to get one.”

Two factors which will be in Lowestoft's favour this time are the pitch and their home support - which even at Premier Division level should still be among the best in the league.

“It's not an excuse but the surface wasn't the best on Saturday,” said Chapman. “We like to get the ball down and play but we've got to accept that there will be some very physical teams in this league and we've got used to mixing it.

“Our supporters have a really big part to play this season. I've always said that we have the best supporters for miles. They always get behind us and when they do it is like having a 12th man.”

Hornchurch began the season with a 1-0 home win over Cray Wanderers with the only goal coming from a striker, Martin Tuohy, who has scored 63 in the past two seasons with East Thurrock and Aveley.

Their team also includes Jonathan Hunt, who made over 200 appearances in the League, most of them with Birmingham City. Still only 26, he is the Urchins' dead-ball specialist.

Joe Francis looks set to miss out for Lowestoft after limping off on Saturday with a hamstring injury. But Dale Cockerill is back after missing the trip to Carshalton because of work commitments.

n In the Ridgeons League Kirkley and Pakefield travel to Wroxham, knowing a win will take them to the top of the Premier Division, with early leaders CRC not in action until tomorrow. Dereham will also be looking to maintain their bright start when they play host to Ely. The Magpies have taken seven points from a possible nine so far.