FA Cup: Horsham FC boss delighted to leave fans smiling after Dorking win

Chris Dickson’s 84th minute goal saw the Hornets beat Wanderers 1-0 – and dump them out of the Cup for the second year running.

In a repeat of last season's fourth qualifying round game, substitute Dickson volleyed home from James Hammond’s cross to fire the Hornets into the third qualifying round.

Di Paola said: “If it had gone to a replay it would have been disappointing as we were very good in the second half. We really warranted the win.

“The boys were excellent. I think we played really, really well. The instructions [we gave the players] were taken on really well, we followed the game plan as we needed to and we were really, really good.

“It was a great day for the club on Saturday. I saw a lot of smiling faces which is always good.

“But it was odd, really. To put it into perspective, it’s the second qualifying round. It’s not actually very far in! The way the draw happened meant we got one of the bigger clubs and it created a lot more interest.”

Di Paola couldn’t help but laud his players after conquering their National League South opponents, labelling it a ‘collective effort’.

He added: “I thought Danny Barker was brilliant, I thought Jack Brivio was really, really good, I thought Jack Strange looked back to his best. He’s not had the start to the season that perhaps he’d expect, but he was brilliant on Saturday.

“I thought everyone was good! Dan Ajakaiye was unusually quiet, but he did a very good job stopping their right centre-half getting out [of defence].

“Obviously, the subs who came on had a big impact. Joe Turner, who’s been really unlucky not to play a bit more so far, was another candidate for man of the match with the way he played.

“I think it was a collective effort. It’s usually the case with our teams.

“Jake Elliott was good, and Meeky [Reece Myles-Meekums] is an exceptional footballer. He’s a really good, intelligent footballer. I never have too many concerns about him off the ball when he plays for us as he does get it really well.”

After recording yet another famous FA Cup result, Di Paola called on his charges to consistently produce ‘good performances and results’ throughout the season.

He said: “On our day we’re a good side. I think the challenge for our boys is to be even more consistent in terms of our performances, and not have one-off results.

“We want a nice, steady, consistent approach where we have good performances and results.

“I’ll always back our boys. We’ve got boys who, when they take on board what they’re asked to do and play to their capabilities, are excellent players.”

The Hornets will visit division-below Margate in the third qualifying round on Saturday, September 28.

The Gate – who were relegated from the Isthmian Premier last season – sailed into the next round with a sensational 4-0 drubbing of Horsham’s league rivals Bognor Regis Town.

Margate are also unbeaten in the Isthmian South East. The Kent club have recorded two wins and three draws, and sit seventh in the table after five games.

Di Paola said: “I think they’ve got a stronger team than they had in the Isthmian Premier last year.

“It’s going to be a tough one down there. It’s never an easy place to go. It’s usually very windy.

“Anyone who gets to this stage in the competition is good. There’s no easy games. We know we’re going to have to be good, but I’ve not looked into it too much yet.”

The Hornets travel to Dulwich Hamlet in the Isthmian Premier this Saturday.

Lee Harding is expected to return after recovering from concussion, but Harvey Spark is a doubt after suffering a new setback to his quad.

Horsham have also discovered who they will face in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup.

The Hornets will begin their title defence with a visit to Isthmian Premier new boys Chichester City.

The two sides have already met this season, with Horsham running out 2-1 winners at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium back in August.

The date for the second round tie is not yet confirmed but must be played by October 9.

Meanwhile, Horsham Women host Haywards Heath Town in the Women’s FA Cup this Sunday (2.15pm, entry is free).

The Hornets warmed up for their Cup clash with trip to Hassocks in the Sussex Women's Challenge Trophy on Sunday.

Substitutes Grace Jeffery and Yaz Williams netted in the second half as Horsham ran out 2-1 winners.