Horsham FC beat Chippenham to end ‘very good season’ on a high
Dominic Di Paola was delighted to round off Horsham FC’s first-ever National League South season with a win as Chippenham Town were seen off at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium.
The Hornets’ 3-2 victory over the already-relegated Bluebirds sealed a 15th-place finish – the best league performance in the club’s history.
Horsham led at half-time through Lucas Rodrigues, playing his 200th game for the Hornets, but second half goals by Luke Haines and Tom Mehew put Chippenham in front.
But substitutes Leone Gravata and Jack Bates netted in quick succession to end the campaign on a high.
Di Paola told the County Times: “We actually played quite well in the first half but it was so hot. On those fake pitches it gets so hot, and all the boys were really struggling.
“We did enough to get the win. It was nice to finish with a positive result.
“I thought we were all right to be fair. We had some half-decent chances in the game.
“We played around with the formation and got Lucas on so we could have our team composed entirely of players with 100 appearances or more, so all-in-all it was a good day.
“I think the boys went out and had a couple of drinks in the town after. It was a good end to what has been, on reflection, a very good season.”
Post-match, Danny Barker was named the management’s player of the season, James Hammond scooped the players’ player award while Gravata took home the fans’ player of the season gong.
And Di Paola said three different players picking up end-of-season awards showed how much of a ‘collective effort’ it had been.
He added: “It has been a real collective effort this year. I think you could go through the nine or ten players who have played the most games, and you could say they’ve all had different spells.
“Lee Harding was our best player in the first month, [Charlie] Hester-Cook had a couple of good months; Hammo [Hammond] has been consistent throughout, Barks [Barker] has been consistent, Leone has done a really good job stepping in for Lee Harding at right-back and he’s had to do that a lot through this season.
“Isaac Philpot has been good but had injuries, Meeky [Reece Myles-Meekums] has been good but had good but had injures, Lucas Rodrigues has been good but had injuries – there’s been lots of candidates!
“I think because we’ve had so many injuries that’s probably one of the other reasons why it’s no coincidence that Leone, Barks and Hammo – the outfield players with the most appearances this season – have won awards.
“But I think Lew Carey has been excellent over the last six weeks. He’s made some great saves.
“It’s a real team effort but it always is at Horsham. There’s not been a standout performer. There’s been lots of people taking up the baton as we’ve gone through the season.”
You can read more from Di Paola online tomorrow at sussexworld.co.uk/sport.