Hornchurch boss Steve Morison joy at first half of season

The Urchins sit top of the Isthmian League Premier Division table with just the one defeat to their name, that a 2-0 reverse to Chatham Town on December 16.

But they hold a six-point lead over the Chats, having played two games less, and have a further six-point gap back to third-placed Enfield Town. 

Those stats are only part of the reason for the boss's pleasure.

Morison said: "It's been excellent and it could have gone better, we could have stayed undefeated but you can’t have everything. 

"But from our point of view, the amount of goals we've scored [is pleasing] and we only conceded three goals in the whole of November and December so we've been sound defensively as well. 

"It's a real solid start to the season and I don't think anyone would have anticipated this was where we would be numbers wise. 

"But I've got to credit the players, they are an excellent group who work hard and train hard and they never know when they're beaten as well. 

"But they’ve also taken all the messages and the information on board and they've bought into what we want to do. 

"And the owner has backed us along the way too, he's been a great support. 

"It's been a real collective effort." 

Femi Akinwande scored twice over the Christmas period. Picture: TGS PHOTO (Image: TGS Photo)

The Christmas period brought seven more points from a possible nine following a 2-0 win over Canvey Island and a 1-1 draw with Lewes, both at home, and a 3-0 success at Hashtag United.

And the plan now is to continue to keep that metronomic approach to point gathering.

The boss said: "We got seven points, a good result at home against Canvey, a decent point against Lewes, although obviously we were frustrated with the goal in the last minute but we didn’t lose the game. 

"Then obviously we went and played the form team in the league on New Year's Day and normal service resumed.  

"It was a good win, I know they went down to 10 men but it was a good performance from us even before that. 

"It was just a case of breaking them down and taking the opportunity when it came. 

"Their ill-discipline helped us with that but it was a good professional performance. 

"We're still, in a pretty good place, 52 points halfway through the season, scored over 50 goals and got a plus 40 goal difference. 

"The momentum is certainly there and we just need to keep pushing, just carry on with what we've been doing to be honest. 

"We'll keep training and keep working hard. We’ve taken a few knocks and a few injuries but we seem to be coping with that quite well. 

"That's football and we have to continue to do that. 

"But consistency in performance, consistency in application and we'll be fine."