How the Hornets could do with someone with Stokes' eye for goal with Hugo Langton's side having netted just one league goal in 6 hours, and that an own goal by Wealdstone's Sean Cronin. George Landais did his best to gain some reward for Horsham and their small band of travelling supporters, going close on a number of occasions, but Concord were worthy winners and had two further goals chalked out for offences and another effort that struck the woodwork.

The Hornets showed just one change to the side that went down to Hendon last weekend, with Williams Peauroux having served his one match ban and returning to the side in place of Kery Kedze. The visitors got the game underway but were immediately on the back foot as Rangers won possession only to find Michael Hunter more attentive than his team-mates and able to palm the ball out for a corner from an early effort on goal by the hosts.

Horsham's first attack came when Landais picked up the ball and went on a 30 yard run which was halted by defender Karl Beckford, who forced the small striker out of play for a goal-kick. But it took just 16 minutes before Stokes claimed his 11th goal in as many games, slotting the ball past Hunter after some poor Horsham defending. 

The travelling faithful thought they might back in the game just minutes later when a Ray Freeman cross reached Tommy Murphy at the far post but one touch too many allowed Rangers to clear the danger. Horsham finally claimed a shot on target when Landais turned and shot from a tight angle but Beachboys 'keeper Andy Young saved comfortably.

Heavy attacking pressure followed next from Rangers when Mitch Hahn curled a spectacular shot from the edge of the area that the helpless Hunter could only watch as it hit the crossbar and went out for a goal-kick. Hahn was threatening again, just after, when from behind the defence he tucked one home only to see the offside flag raised.

Hunter's goal came under further threat when Hahn put Stokes  through but the resulting shot glided wide of the far post and it wasn't long before Sherwin Stanley wanted his cut for the Rangers when his shot nestled in the back off the net but, once again, Horsham were saved further embarrassment by the offside flag. But the reprieve was merely temporary when Hahn floated a pass over the towering Calum McGeehan and in to Stanley who easily outpaced Yinka Salami to hit a half-volley beyond Hunter, seconds before the break. 

H/T Concord Rangers 2 Horsham 0

The half-time introduction of Tony Nwachukwu, in place of former U18 team-mate Adam Hutchings, was intended to enliven the Horsham attack and they made a promising start to the second period with Landais firing in an early effort that was kept out by Young. 

Freeman was the next man forward, held back and then fouled by Ashley Miller who found his name taken by referee Ben Wright. The resulting free-kick was sent in to the mix where Ian Varley challenged his marker, winning a corner. Murphy lined up the set-piece, only for Callum Dunne to hoof it over Young’s goal.  But, despite their best efforts, Horsham were effectively out of the contest when Stokes doubled his account by firing a powerful shot past Hunter just before the hour mark.

Landais had his best shot of the day saved yet again by Young, who could only palm across goal where substitute Nwachukwu arrived a split second too late and the ball was cleared for a throw. Freeman took the next shot but Young wasn’t troubled as it was clearly going over the crossbar. At this point Concord made their second substitution of the afternoon when goalscorer Stanley followed his skipper Nicky Cowley to the bench with Ryan Ware joining the attack.

Landais continued to cause the home defence problems, squaring a pass to Freeman who had the ball taken off his toe at the expense of a corner that, sadly, came to nought. On the 76 minute mark, Langton decided to shift his side for the final time when he took both Landais and Freeman off to be replaced by Kedze and Dean O’Keefe.

However, the changes made little difference to the outcome of the match as Stokes completed his hat-trick when he slotted home a shot low and hard after again getting behind the Horsham back four. And the Horsham fans suffered that deja vu feeling when Lee chipped the ball over from the left side to Stokes who unselfishly laid the ball back to his partner in crime Hahn to finish off and end the game in sheer embarrassment for Horsham.