Isthmian League Preview: Stimson’s targeting a double

PREMIER DIVISION

GLORY BOYS: Hornchurch’s Rickie Hayles and Lewis Spence celebrate with the FA Trophy

PICTURE: Garry Griffiths

TALK TO Hornchurch players in the days after their remarkable FA Trophy triumph over Hereford back in May, and you got the sense they weren’t prepared to stop there.

Creating history as a Step 3 club to win lift Non-League’s most prestigious trophy under the arch isn’t enough for Mark Stimson’s group.

They want more and Stimson has kept the majority of that victorious squad. Can Stimmo keep conjuring his magic and get the Urchins into the National League South?

You wouldn’t put it past him but there will be plenty out to stop them. Not least Worthing, who have right to believe they have consistently been the best team in the division over the past two seasons.

Having topped the pile when 2019-20 was cancelled, Adam Hinshelwood’s side were also at the summit when last season was halted having tasted defeat just once. They’ve added serious Football League experience in Dean Cox.

Cheshunt and Enfield Town were hot on their heels and Peter Adeniyi’s Carshalton Athletic weren’t far behind either.

Then came Cray Wanderers where there has been a big change around with popular managers Tony Russell and his trusty sidekick Joe Vines joining Lewes. Crucially a number of those players, including hot-shot striker Joe Taylor, have followed suit.

In his place, Danny Kedwell is aiming to take his winning mentality into his management. He’s brought in Andy Drury as player-assistant and there will be plenty willing the ex-Ebbsfleet duo to do well.

Other managers will whisper Horsham are ones to keep an eye on with some good summer additions including ex-Aldershot forward Shamir Fenelon.

Ade Yusuff has made the return to Folkestone Invicta. If Neil Cugley can get him in the goals as he was a few years ago before landing a move to Dulwich Hamlet then he will be a real asset.

And Margate boss Jay Saunders feels he has got a squad to call his own at long last. Can he get Gate on the rise again?