FA Cup · 1/128-finals 
Our pick Home win
AFC Hornchurch’s cup-day attack meets Blackpool’s league-level test
AFC Hornchurch arrive on the back of a four-goal FA Cup win, but Blackpool bring the higher-division pedigree. Their contrasting league form makes this a test of whether Hornchurch’s cup momentum can outweigh Blackpool’s greater level of competition.
📍 Hornchurch Stadium
Preview written:
Match report
After extra time: AFC Hornchurch 1-2 Blackpool.
Match statistics (home team first). Shots: 1–3; Shots on target: 1–2; Corners: 2–8.
Goals
- 30' Henry Roy Hearn · Angelo Jasiel Balanta · AFC Hornchurch
- 56' Jordan Brown · Blackpool
- 118' Josh Bowler · Blackpool
Cards
- 58' Myles Weston · AFC Hornchurch
- 63' Charlie Pegrum · AFC Hornchurch
- 113' Henry Sandat · AFC Hornchurch
- 120+1' Aaron·Rowe · AFC Hornchurch
Match stats
Ratings and statistics: API-Football.
Confirmed lineups
AFC Hornchurch · 3-4-3
- 1Arthur NastaG
- 28T. AdelusiD
- 6T. Dallison-LisbonD
- 31H. TaylorD
- 18M. WestonM
- 27Alfie MasseyM
- 8T. WraightM
- 14Charlie PegrumM
- 7J. WalkerF
- 30R. LoftF
- 10Á. BalantaF
Coach: Mark Stimson
Blackpool · 5-3-2
- 1B. Peacock-FarrellG
- 28J. WilliamsD
- 2A. LyonsD
- 4O. CaseyD
- 3Z. AshworthD
- 21I. NiskanenD
- 17Karoy AndersonM
- 6J. BrownM
- 8A. MorganM
- 12J. YatesF
- 19D. CharlesF
Coach: I. Evatt
Match facts
Recent form
Last 5 league games, latest on the right
Goals per game
| · | Scored | Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Hornchurch | 4.0 | 0.0 |
| Blackpool | 0.0 | 0.0 |
PreviaXI model
Model confidence: Medium
- Expected goals (model)
- 1.75 – 1.27
- Double chance
- 12 · 75%1X 73% · X2 52%
- Over 2.5 goals
- 58%Over 1.5: 81% · Over 3.5: 36%
- Both teams score
- 60%
- Clean sheet
- 28% – 17%AFC Hornchurch–Blackpool
- Half-time result
- X · 39%1 37% · 2 24%
- Half-time / full-time
- 1/1 · 30%2/2 16% · X/1 15%
Statistical model based on expected goals (xG), results and match statistics from the last two seasons. For information only. How our model works →
A cup run meets a division gap
AFC Hornchurch’s most recent FA Cup match ended in a 4-0 win, giving them an emphatic platform for this first-round tie against Blackpool. The contrast is clear: Hornchurch have shown they can score freely in this competition, while Blackpool play in League One, two levels above Hornchurch’s National League.
Their league positions point to a contest between two sides seeking improvement. Hornchurch are 15th in the National League with 21 points after 16 matches; Blackpool sit 19th in League One with 12 points from 12 games. The difference in divisions gives Blackpool the higher-level test, but neither side comes in with a strong league run.
Recent league form
Hornchurch have a win and four defeats across their last five league games, with their most recent outing ending in defeat. Blackpool’s last five league matches have brought a win, a draw and three defeats; their latest result was a draw.
That leaves the hosts looking for a response after a difficult league sequence, while Blackpool will hope their latest point can provide a steadier footing. Hornchurch’s cup result, however, offers a sharp counterpoint to their league form.
Hornchurch’s four-goal cup statement
Hornchurch have won their only FA Cup match, scoring four goals and conceding none, with a clean sheet. Those figures relate to one match in this competition only, rather than their wider season form. It was a persuasive start to their cup campaign, but Blackpool offer a different challenge from that first opponent.
The key contrast
The central question is whether Hornchurch can carry their scoring touch into a tie against a League One side. The hosts have already shown attacking threat in the cup, while Blackpool’s higher division gives them experience against stronger week-to-week opposition. With both teams’ league results uneven, the opening goal could shape a match that neither can take lightly.
Our prediction
Hornchurch’s four-goal cup win makes them a dangerous home side, and the statistical model leans towards the hosts despite Blackpool’s higher league standing. A close game looks likely, but Hornchurch’s cup momentum could prove decisive.
AFC Hornchurch 2-1 Blackpool
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