Horsham happy to leave bench short and get players game time on loan

The Hornets had just three players on the bench for Tuesday night’s last-gasp 3-2 defeat against Cray Wanderers.

And despite having a number out through injury, Di Paola said that he was happy to see Luis Felipe Lire de Andrade (Newhaven), Jake Chadwick (Billingshurst) and George Cousins (Broadbridge Heath) out playing for Southern Combination League sides.

With no under-21 or reserve side due to the Hornets remaining homeless, they are unable to keep a full squad of players fit and playing.

Tom Aktinson has also been involved over at local outfit Loxwood for the past month.

Di Paola said: “It’s not worth putting them on the bench when they are not going to come on, it only means they are training Thursdays and they are not up to speed.

“There is no point taking more than a couple on the bench when they could be playing elsewhere.

“It’s a similar situation now with Charlie Farmer and Scott Harris as they have not started the last few games.

“If we had an under-21s we could get them some game time there, but we don’t and that’s a club problem, because of the council we have not got ground.”

Horsham FC’s planning application for a new ground at Hop Oast were refused for a second time by Horsham District Council last year.

On the injury front, Ollie Gill and Darren Boswell missed the last two games through injury, while long-term absentee Adam Hunt hopes to be back by Christmas and Mark Knee is a month away.

Di Paola added: “Alex Duncan had his best games of the season in the last two games and then broke his nose (on Tuesday night) and had to come off.

“He’s another one injured and I am not sure how long he will be out for, so there are a few things that aren’t going our way.”

The Hornets are without a game this weekend due to Hastings United’s involvement in the FA Cup.

They have ten days off before travelling to Potters Bar Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday, October 6.

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