Farnham Town’s summer recruitment proves they aren’t in the National League South to ‘make up the numbers’.

That was the view of Horsham FC manager Dominic Di Paola as the second-placed Hornets prepare to welcome Town to the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium tomorrow.

Farnham, who secured promotion to step two for the first time in the club’s history via last season’s Southern League Premier South play-offs, have made a shaky start to 2026-27.

The Surrey outfit sit 19th in the table, having won one and lost three of their opening four games. Town’s sole success so far was a 1-0 victory at second-from-bottom Slough Town on Tuesday, August 18.

Action from last season's FA Trophy second round clash between Horsham and Farnham Town at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium. The Hornets ran out 2-0 winners thanks to second half goals from Greg Luer and Charlie Hester-Cook (pictured). Picture by John Lines

placeholder image — Action from last season's FA Trophy second round clash between Horsham and Farnham Town at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium. The Hornets ran out 2-0 winners thanks to second half goals from Greg Luer and Charlie Hester-Cook (pictured). Picture by John Lines

Farnham have been very active in the transfer market, bringing in eight new first-team players – including veteran midfielder Sam Hutchinson from League One side AFC Wimbledon, prolific striker Rakish Bingham from Farnborough, and midfielder Jack Spong from last season’s National League South champions Worthing FC.

And Di Paola said Town’s summer signings had enhanced what was already a formidable squad.

He told the County Times: “They’ve signed players to not make up the numbers. They’ve signed good players and, from what I’ve seen of them, they’ve been really good in every game.

“It is a bit of a transition into this league. There’s bits in this league that you don’t experience in step three, so maybe that’s why they’ve found things difficult.

“But in terms of their pedigree, you go through their team and they’ve got so much quality. Jack Spong, Billy Clifford, Bobby-Joe Taylor – there’s lots of high-quality players within that group. They’re not a step three promoted team, they’re a step two team.

“But we will do what we always do. We’ll prepare for it, attack it. Our boys are giving it all they’ve got.”

The Hornets have no fresh injury concerns going into tomorrow’s game – but they will be without Lucas Pattenden, who has made the move to Southern League Premier South club Chichester City.

The attacker, who re-signed for Horsham ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, made his City debut against Chippenham Town last weekend and was involved in two goals in a 4-0 Chi victory.