(Picture: Bostik League)
By Matt Badcock
JIM McFarlane is over the moon with AFC Hornchurch's perfect start to the new season – it means no one can moan!
Along with Heybridge Swifts and Dereham Town, the Urchins are one of three clubs who have won their first four fixtures in the Bostik North.
For the last two seasons McFarlane's side have missed out on promotion through the play-offs.
While he knows a fast start is no guarantee of success, the experienced boss believes the momentum it generates is important.
“No one's ever won the league in August or September but what it does is give you a bit of momentum,” he said.
“Every side, no matter where they are, will have a dip throughout the year. When we have our dip we've already got a few points in the bag.
“And all the big sides we expected to be around us have had a mixed start. So, no complaints at the moment – I'm sure we'll have some at some point!”
McFarlane made adding goals a priority in the summer having finished last season as the club with the fewest goals for in the top six.
Leon McKenzie scored 37 times for McFarlane's side in 2016-17 and he's been joined by Brad Warner, Theo Fairweather-Johnson and Ross Wall, while George Purcell has returned from injury and Martin Tuohy is pushing for games.
“It's near on impossible to keep everyone happy but you've got to make everything as enjoyable as possible,” McFarlane said.
“If you're a sub and your team is losing, it's a harder pill to swallow. But if you're a sub and the team is doing well and you're getting on, you're chomping at the bit to be more involved.
“This is probably the strongest squad I've had for three or four years. No doubt I'll have people knocking on my door in the coming weeks about being involved, but while we're doing well and picking up points there's not much to moan about.”
See Sunday's NLP for Jim McFarlane's thoughts on their new-look attack and their FA Cup quest!
