Andrade can stake his claim amid loan spell and setback

Horsham have some festive cheer and a feared injury set-back going into the Christmas period.
Football

Southern Combination League Premiere Division Football.
Broadbridge Heath v Hailsham Town. 
Action from the match.

Reporter: Oli Berry
Picture: Liz Pearce 01/01/2016
LP1600982 SUS-160110-205338008Football

Southern Combination League Premiere Division Football.
Broadbridge Heath v Hailsham Town. 
Action from the match.

Reporter: Oli Berry
Picture: Liz Pearce 01/01/2016
LP1600982 SUS-160110-205338008
Football Southern Combination League Premiere Division Football. Broadbridge Heath v Hailsham Town. Action from the match. Reporter: Oli Berry Picture: Liz Pearce 01/01/2016 LP1600982 SUS-160110-205338008

A positive will see the Hornets let forward Tiago Andrade stake a claim for a starting slot over a busy spell.

Since joining from Broadbridge Heath last month, the striker has found starts limited, despite frontman Terry Dodd being out injured.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But with Andrade building fitness and the Hornets’ search for a new forward so far being unsuccessful, he is set to get his chance as he is firmly in the side’s plans.

Horsham Football Club Mark Knee on the ball SUS-151210-131550005Horsham Football Club Mark Knee on the ball SUS-151210-131550005
Horsham Football Club Mark Knee on the ball SUS-151210-131550005

Further good news is that long-term absentee Adam Hunt is set for an imminent loan spell to aid his comeback.

But there appears to be no goodwill going in Mark Knee’s direction who is feared to have suffered an injury set-back.

He was also primed for a loan spell, but felt a twinge in his knee during a pre-match session ahead of Horsham’s Sussex Senior Cup exit at Bognor on Tuesday night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Horsham host Godalming on Boxing Day (2pm), travel to Molesey on New Year’s Eve (1pm) and face Lewes away on Bank Holiday Monday (January 2, 3pm).

Horsham Football Club's Adam Hunt SUS-151210-131600005Horsham Football Club's Adam Hunt SUS-151210-131600005
Horsham Football Club's Adam Hunt SUS-151210-131600005

Their target over the period remain the same with Hornets boss Dominic Di Paola saying: “We just have to get as many points on the board as quickly as possible, that’s the main ambition of the season.

“It’s a bit negative really, but the main concern is keeping the club in this league.

“Then in February, when we know about the ground, then we can look to push on and start building for the future.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Tiago has been playing well when he has come on and is going to get a chance to stake a claim over the next couple of games.

Horsham Football Club Mark Knee on the ball SUS-151210-131550005Horsham Football Club Mark Knee on the ball SUS-151210-131550005
Horsham Football Club Mark Knee on the ball SUS-151210-131550005

“He was cup tied on Tuesday, so will need a couple of games, but he is well in our plans.

“Another positive is that Adam Hunt will be going out on loan somewhere in the next couple of weeks. It’ll be great to have him back as he is a great player for us.

“Mark had a bit of a set-back which is not good at all. He felt something in his knee again so will be pretty low at the moment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s back to square one and I feel for him as he has worked ever so hard and we felt we were getting there with him about to go out on loan.

Horsham Football Club's Adam Hunt SUS-151210-131600005Horsham Football Club's Adam Hunt SUS-151210-131600005
Horsham Football Club's Adam Hunt SUS-151210-131600005

“My gut feeling is he will have to go for a second opinion and see a surgeon.”

Di Paola is expecting no easy ride on Boxing Day with Surrey-based strugglers Godalming the visitors at Gorings Mead.

He added: “They beat Walton Casuals the other night, who bumped us off the pitch down there. They are fighting for their lives and will win more games over the next few months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are not away from the relegation battle yet and can’t believe we are so I think the players will be up for a big game.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Related topics: