Hornchurch returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Eastleigh at the Hornchurch Stadium, as Dominic Poleon’s first-half opener and a header from former Spitfires defender Jack Baldwin secured all three points for Daryl McMahon’s side.
Eastleigh almost took the lead inside the opening 30 seconds when Aaron Blair turned and fired narrowly wide. Hornchurch responded immediately, with Poleon forcing Nick Townsend into an important block from close range in the third minute. The early opportunities were followed by a quieter spell as neither side found another clear opening before the midway point of the half.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Will Greenidge helped release Poleon, who advanced into the penalty area, shifted the ball onto his right foot and finished beyond Townsend to put the Urchins ahead. It was the forward’s second National League goal of the season, following his strike against Aldershot Town in September.
Eastleigh suffered a further setback seven minutes later when captain Jordan Cousins was forced off through injury and replaced by Will Randall. The visitors nevertheless had opportunities to equalise before half-time. Tommy Dobson-Ventura played Blair in behind the Hornchurch defence, but the striker could not bring the ball under control, while Jake Caprice sent a free-kick narrowly over the bar in stoppage time.
Hornchurch manager McMahon made two changes at the interval, introducing Ryan Loft and Myles Weston for Henry Hearn and Henry Sandat. The hosts nearly doubled their advantage four minutes after the restart when Poleon curled an effort towards the top corner, only for Townsend to produce an excellent save.
Blair then shot narrowly over from distance for Eastleigh before Loft missed a good opportunity at the other end. A low delivery found the substitute six yards from goal in the 53rd minute, but he directed his effort wide of the post.
Hornchurch finally added their second in the 62nd minute. Alfie Massey delivered a corner into the penalty area and Baldwin rose to power a header beyond Townsend, scoring against his former club to give the hosts a two-goal advantage.
Eastleigh manager Matt Gray responded by introducing Dion Rankine and Barney Stone for Oli Hawkins and Reece Johnson. Hornchurch subsequently brought on Angelo Balanta and Josh Walker, while Connor Underhill made his first appearance of the season for the visitors after replacing Max Dickov in the closing stages.
The hosts had opportunities to extend their lead further. Tom Dallison headed wide in the 76th minute before Walker was denied by another excellent Townsend save late on, with the substitute then sending the rebound over from close range. Hornchurch held on for their clean sheet and a seventh league victory of the campaign.
The result moved Hornchurch to 21 points from 13 National League matches, providing a response to their 3-0 defeat at Harrogate Town the previous weekend. Eastleigh suffered a second successive league defeat following their 3-1 home loss to Woking and remain on 15 points from 13 games.
