Horsham to Leverage Experience in Upcoming FA Cup Fixture

Horsham supporters are experiencing their third FA Cup proper campaign within four seasons. According to Dominic Di Paola, Horsham’s recent involvement in significant FA Cup matches will ensure they remain composed during their upcoming visit to Chesterfield on Saturday. The team, which competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division, advanced to the second round last season, where they were defeated by Sutton, then a League Two club. In the preceding round, they had secured a 3-3 draw against League One Barnsley. Following a home replay loss, Horsham was reinstated after it was discovered that Barnsley, known as the Tykes, had fielded an ineligible player. Three years prior, the Hornets also delivered a spirited performance in the first round, ultimately suffering a late 2-0 loss against Carlisle United. Di Paola conveyed to BBC South Today: “Chesterfield will be a tough ask and a big challenge, but we have lots of big game experience – we are not going to freeze.” Dominic Di Paola has guided seventh-tier Horsham to the FA Cup first round on three occasions within a four-season span. A gap of 74 positions on the football league ladder separates Horsham from Chesterfield, who currently hold sixth place in League Two after their promotion from the National League last season. Di Paola acknowledged: “We know what we are up against. We know they are a really good side. They are flying at the moment, in and amongst the play-offs in League Two – I expect them to make the play-offs they are a really good side.”They have got that bounce from coming up as National League champions so they are in a good place as a club.”Our boys are looking forward to testing themselves against that standard of opposition, hopefully we do ourselves justice and perform at our best on the day.” This marks the Hornets’ fifth match against EFL opposition in slightly less than three years, following their trip to Carlisle in 2021, two fixtures against Barnsley, and last season’s second-round loss at Sutton. “We’ve got 13 of that squad (from last season) still, a lot of boys have that experience, and there are four or five from Carlisle still. One or two have played these sorts of games too with other clubs too.” Horsham’s forward, Chris Dickson, provided two assists when Hornchurch secured the 2021 FA Trophy victory at Wembley. Chris Dickson, the 39-year-old Horsham striker and former Charlton player, has a notable career, including scoring in the Europa League against Marseille during his time with AEL Limassol in Cyprus, earning two caps for Ghana, and winning the FA Trophy with Hornchurch at Wembley in 2021. “They are well versed. We have lots of big game experience,” Di Paolo further stated. “It’s going to be a tough ask and a big challenge to do anything on the day but we are looking forward to it, we’ll embrace it, it should be a good occasion for the club.” The manager, who is approaching ten years at the helm at Hop Oast, indicated that he is approaching the away fixture against the Spireites “like any other game.” “If you big it up and turn it into something more that’s when you start to create nerves and get in everyone’s head too much,” Di Paolo commented. “The Barnsley replay was a bad example of that – we got caught up in all the external stuff. I don’t think that night we were right. We had TV coming to training and matches, in the changing room, I think we got a bit caught up in that and had a terrible start on the night. This time is a bit different.” “We’ve been so lucky the past few years, had so many good moments, these are games everyone can enjoy.”