Di Paola says Town in the driving seat as Hornets face toughest tests

Results at the weekend put the Hornets’ destiny back in their own hands as Town were beaten at Chichester City, while they thumped Shoreham to remain second to leaders Lancing by a point, having played three games less.

Although a big ask, victories in their 17 remaining games would see Di Paola’s side clinch the title at the first time of asking.

But the boss believes the odds are still stacked in Town’s favour as Horsham enter what he sees as their toughest run of the season. He said: “Results went our way and that was nice and it gives us a chance again now. Looking at Eastbourne’s fixtures I still think they are in the driving seat.

“That’s only because they have to play a lot of the poorer sides in the next two months and then the better sides in the last couple of months.

“At East Preston we had a similar scenario where come the last couple of months, some of the top sides were not as up for it as they would be if you played them now, as they had nothing to play for.

“We have got a lot of the easier sides after the next round of games where we first have to get through the top teams like Lancing, Loxwood, Broadbridge Heath and Arundel.

“They are really good teams and all still have a lot to play for, we need to make sure we are on it and up for it as much as possible.”

Horsham are not set to play again until Tuesday night when they host Arundel due to this week’s scheduled opponents Hailsham, having a cup match. Di Paola added: “It’s a pain as well as we had slightly hit a bit of form. Now we are ten days without a game, it cannot be helped, but it is a bit unfortunate as they (Town), will win their games and we will be back chasing.

“We have been ahead of Eastbourne Town already and blown it so there is still that potential. We drew against Eastbourne United and we lost against Town when we could have pulled away.

“This is the biggest part of the season for us these next few games. They are tough fixtures and none of them you can say we are definitely going to get a result, they are 50/50s where we have to be on it.

“You have to question where Eastbourne Town will drop points and where they will have games as hard as that. I still think they are in the driving seat, still we will be doing everything we can.”

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