Hornets boss: We just need a change of luck

Hornets boss Dom Di Paola is staying positive despite back-to-back home defeats, declaring: We just need something to go our way.
Penalty? No but Dom Di Paola felt this challenge on Rob O'Toole should have given Horsham a spot kick / Picture: John LinesPenalty? No but Dom Di Paola felt this challenge on Rob O'Toole should have given Horsham a spot kick / Picture: John Lines
Penalty? No but Dom Di Paola felt this challenge on Rob O'Toole should have given Horsham a spot kick / Picture: John Lines

He feels Horsham have been devoid of any luck in a week in which Cheshunt and Bognor have each left The Camping World Community Stadium with the victory spoils.

A succession of injuries, suspensions and marginal refereeing decisions have left Di Paola and his troops feeling hard done by. But he is certain an upturn in fortunes is around the corner.

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Cheshunt won 2-1 on Saturday despite Rob O’Toole putting the Hornets into the lead. Then a solitary second-half goal won Tuesday night’s Sussex derby for Bognor, leaving Horsham 18th in the early table.

Di Paola said he was seeing plenty of good things from his side – as well as negatives – and remained upbeat.

“On Tuesday we had a lot of opportunities to score. On another night we could have won that game,” he said.

“The negatives are that injuries and suspensions are hitting us. With a new group of players you want a settled side but we’ve certainly not got that yet. I think we had to make seven changes to our midfield in the first four games.

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“We have had a lot of little injuries being picked up and it feels like a lot of things are going against us – like Harvey Sparks being very unlucky to be sent off in one game, a deflected goal against us in another, and what looked like a penalty late on against Bognor not being given.

“I’m sure as the injuries clear up and the side settles, results will follow.

“We showed great character when we went behind on Tuesday and that is pleasing. We’re playing some nice football.”

Latest on the treatment table is captain Jack Brivio, who felt his calf ‘pop’ during the Bognor game.

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Kieran Monlouis has a hamstring strain he has tried to play through and striker Eddie D’Sane has been diagnosed with a doot fracture. New recruits Doug Tuck and Charlie Coppola are others missed while injured.

League worries can be forgotten this weekend when Horsham play National South side Havant in the FA Cup. It’s at Bognor as Havant’s new artificial pitch is not ready.

“It’ll be tough,” Di Paola said. “I’m not sure a neutral ground helps us much but we’ll regroup and try to do ourselves justice as we did in a tough tie v Kingstonian in the last round.”

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