Horsham’s ‘amazing’ feats cannot be underestimated

In their first Isthmian Premier Division season in eight years, and Di Paola’s first managing at step three in the non-league pyramid, his side have blown all expectations out the water,

Earning promotion via the Isthmian South East play-offs last year, the Hornets haven’t been out of the top six since mid-September and have been top of the table on two separate occasions this season.

The Hop Oast outfit have also reached the semi-finals of the Velocity Trophy for the first time in their history.

With all this happening in their first season playing inside a ground of their own for the first time in 11 years, things are looking rosy for the Yellows.

However, last week’s crushing 4-0 defeat to play-off rivals Carshalton Athletic, which pushes them five points adrift, suggests Horsham may not have enough to squeeze into one of those sought-after play-off spots.

Hailing his players’ ‘amazing’ achievements so far this season, Di Paola said: “The results we’ve gotten and the results we haven’t gotten probably tell you why we are where we are, but our boys have done amazing.

“With seven weeks to go we’re still there or thereabouts. You cannot underestimate what our boys have done this year.

“We might not get there and it might be touch and go if we do but it really doesn’t matter. The boys have been brilliant to keep going like they have to go up against some really good sides.

“We’ve done brilliantly, and we’re just going to keep going. If we’re still in with a chance with a month to go then that’s amazing; we’ve actually gone the whole season with something to play for.”

Horsham have some tricky fixtures coming up with the Hornets set to face six top eight sides in their 11 remaining games. They’re also set to face two sides battling against relegation.

He continued: “In our first season at step three that’s ridiculous but we’ve got a really tough run-in.

“We’ve got Bognor, Worthing, Enfield and Leatherhead and East Thurrock away, so of the 11 games, six of them are against the top eight – so we have to be realistic.

“Then we’ve also got teams like Brightlingsea and Wingate who are absolutely fighting for their lives, so we’ve only really got two or three mid-table teams that might not have anything to play for and are not that bothered.

“Worthing have only got a couple of the top eight left to play so there’s other teams with more favourable run-ins, but we can just enjoy it.

“There’s not been many games that I’ve really not enjoyed. It’s been a really good season so God knows how we’re going to replicate it next season.”

Horsham have confirmed their Velocity Trophy semi-final at home to Cheshunt will take place at 7.45pm on Tuesday March 17.

As a result, the Hornets' scheduled league visit to Leatherhead has been postponed.

Details of the rearranged date have yet to be confirmed.