'˜Brilliant' Horsham cap fine week with scalp of leaders Tooting & Mitcham

Horsham`s Tony Nwachukwu (centre) celebrates his goal, also pictured is Charlie Farmer whom scored Horsham`s first goal. Photo by Clive Turner

With the Hornets still reeling from the news of their new home being granted planning permission last Tuesday, the jubilation spilled over onto the pitch in a stunning display.

Charlie Farmer’s 56th-minute opener was added to by a superb Tony Nwachukwu goal three minutes from time to wrap up the points and a memorable week.

Hornets manager Dominic Di Paola said: “All in all it’s been a good week for the club. Everyone can feel very pleased with themselves on the pitch and off it. It shows what the players are capable of. I have said that a few times this year as we do not deliver all the time.

Ash Jones in action for Horsham. Photo by Clive Turner

“When we play like that - against the league leaders - we should be better than where we are this season. For whatever reason, we are not able to do it all the time and that is something we will address.

“The boys were brilliant on Saturday. It was not a lucky win or anything like that, we did not ride our luck. It was a really good performance and they stuck to the game plan.

“It was a good day for everyone. There were a lot in the ground and it was a great atmosphere.”

In front of a crowd of 481, it was a high-tempo start that yielded few clear-cut chances.

Horsham’s first shot on target came from a dipping and curling Darren Boswell effort that was pushed away by Kyle Merson.

A looping Daniel Clements effort flew over Josh Pelling, but it fell off target and Michael Dixon’s tumble away from Alex Duncan when trying to keep the ball alive, brought optimistic claims for a penalty. Pelling then parried an ambitious lobbed Clements effort, before ex-Horsham man Billy Dunn fired straight at Pelling.

In the second half, the best chance fell to Ash Jones as his hooked effort from a corner was cleared off the line by Sol Patterson-Bohner.

The Hornets did lead soon after as Jordan Clark picked up a half-cleared corner and back-heeled to Farmer, who tucked into the bottom corner. Tooting responded by hitting the post through Edward Diners and he controlled the ball with his chest and fired past Pelling.

The visitors then spurned another chance as Sandy Cunningham’s blocked effort fell to Clements, who sliced wide. Soon after, Horsham made the points safe as Nwachukwu collected the ball and sent a 20-yard screamer into the back of the net.

Di Paola added: “Charlie Farmer is a really good finisher for a centre-half and has always popped up with goals for us. Tony’s goal was a rocket. He cut inside and hit it really early, it was great finish.”

Horsham: Pelling, Duncan, Jones, Clarke, Metcalf, Lawley (Robinson 90), Kirkwood, Branford, Boswell (Thurgar 68), Farmer, Rogers (Nwachukwu 53). Unused: Wright, Hassan.