Depleted but determined: Patched-up Horsham FC praised after FA Trophy win
Dominic Di Paola hailed his patched-up Hornets for reaching the last 16 of the FA Trophy – as he admitted more than half his squad were either out injured or playing through pain.
Horsham produced a remarkable second-half comeback in their fourth round Trophy tie at Leatherhead on Saturday to win 3-2 and set up a visit to National League Premier side Scunthorpe.
But there was disappointment on Tuesday as their bid to win the Sussex Transport Senior Cup for a third straight year ended in a quarter-final loss on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Three Bridges.
Di Paola was delighted by progress in the Trophy but said he was having to field players who weren’t 100 per cent fit and ask some to play in wrong positions, which was taking its toll.
Leathehead v Horsham – FA Trophy success in pictures by John Lines.
"We’re asking a lot of the boys – continually pushing the same batch of players out there without the support to give them a rest,” he said.
"Four who started at Leatherhead were injured, which isn’t the right way to go. We juggled players over the course of the game.
"Then (against Three Bridges) we had four out of position in the starting XI and weren’t able to make any tactical substitutions.
"It’s the situation we’re in and we have to carry on and hope things improve. It’s hard with a small squad when you have so many either out injured or playing while injured.”
Di Paola praised the side’s spirit that clinched the last-16 Trophy spot, as two goals by Rhys Murphy and one by Ola Ogunwamide sealed the win after they trailed 2-0 at the break.
He said it had set up another great cup awayday for fans who’d had plenty of them in recent years – with a visit to former Football League side Scunthorpe now to be added to visits to Carlisle, Barnsley and others.
"We’ve been spoiled with these games in recent years – they create amazing memories for fans – and we’ll look forward to the tie,” he said.
The focus now is on a medical roll-call to see who’s fit for Saturday’s National South visit to leaders Worthing.
Di Paola feels the Rebels are the best side in the league and should win the title.
And he said of the derby, likely to be played in front of a 3,500 crowd: “It’ll be a real challenge.”