Horsham FC boss: Winning derby against Lewes was vital to our league aspirations

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Dominic Di Paola admitted Horsham FC’s win over fierce rivals Lewes was crucial to them keeping pace with the Isthmian Premier’s title contenders.

The Hornets ran out 2-0 winners in front of a bumper Fusion Aviation Community Stadium crowd on Saturday, knocking the Rooks off top spot in the process.

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Charlie Hester-Cook nudged the hosts in front on four minutes before the game swung decisively in Horsham’s favour when Lewes’ Peter Ojemen was sent off on 70 minutes.

James Hammond wrapped up the win seven minutes later as Horsham moved up to eighth in the table, with games in hand on the teams above them.

Horsham celebrate James Hammond's goal, which secured a 2-0 win over Lewes. Pictures by John LinesHorsham celebrate James Hammond's goal, which secured a 2-0 win over Lewes. Pictures by John Lines
Horsham celebrate James Hammond's goal, which secured a 2-0 win over Lewes. Pictures by John Lines

Di Paola said: “I don’t think we played particularly well, I just think we worked out a way of getting a result.

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“I felt there were areas we could have done better in. I didn’t think we kept the ball particularly well but sometimes that can happen.

“I’m not going to batter the boys too much because it’s just about getting points on the board.

“We felt under a bit of pressure because we’ve only had two league games this month. We have to keep picking up points where we can.

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Charlie Hester-Cook wheels away after firing Horsham in front against LewesCharlie Hester-Cook wheels away after firing Horsham in front against Lewes
Charlie Hester-Cook wheels away after firing Horsham in front against Lewes

“Everyone is going to have played a couple games before we come back to the league, so it was important that we didn’t drop points there.

“The boys did well. I thought we were comfortable. I don’t think they really troubled us too much. I thought it was a good showing.

“We’re mixing and matching the squad a little at the moment, so everyone’s doing really good things.”

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The win over previous leaders Lewes saw Horsham record their fourth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions - and Di Paola hailed his players for knuckling down defensively.

Lewes' Peter Ojemen is given his marching ordersLewes' Peter Ojemen is given his marching orders
Lewes' Peter Ojemen is given his marching orders

He added: “We were slow starters defensively this season. In the first four or five games, I thought we were really poor defensively, culminating in the Dover game where I thought we just lost the plot.

“Since then, apart from Dulwich, I’ve been really happy. We’ve been defending as a unit and as a team.

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“The Dulwich one was worse than anything else we’ve seen this season but it was one game. We’ve now got to maintain those levels and maintain our standards.

“I say this to the boys all the time, every game brings its own challenges so you’ve got to turn up every week.

Horsham's Chris Dickson tangles with a Lewes defenderHorsham's Chris Dickson tangles with a Lewes defender
Horsham's Chris Dickson tangles with a Lewes defender

“The boys have knuckled down from the defensive side of it, and that gives you a platform to do things in midfield and going forward.

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“Collectively they’ve been good, so we’ve got to maintain that. It’s important.”

The Hornets were without a midweek fixture after a busy run of Isthmian Premier, FA Cup, FA Trophy, and Sussex Senior Cup games, playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday since September 28.

But Di Paola admitted he was desperate for Horsham to get back on the pitch in midweek, despite their hectic schedule.

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He said: “The irony of it is, I would have liked a game! I just feel like it’s a bit of a wasted week given what’s coming down the line.

“We’ve got a lot of games so it would have been good to have got a game on, but we couldn’t. There was no availability from the teams that we could reschedule with.

“In some respects it’s been a bit of a manic month, but now we’re twiddling our thumbs. It would have been good to get a game on.”

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This Saturday sees the Hornets travel to Canvey Island in the first round of the FA Trophy.

Despite a difficult start to their Isthmian Premier campaign, which saw them lose five of their opening six games, the Gulls have hit a bit of form.

Canvey have won three of their last five league games, which has pushed them up to 13th in the table.

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Looking ahead to the game at the Steve Taxi’s Stadium, Di Paola said: “They started slowly but they’ve picked up a bit. They’ve got some good players.

“Bradley Sach’s gone back there and he was their top goalscorer [last season]. He’s one of the better strikers in this league.

“I know a couple of their boys as well, so I think they’ll be good.

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“I don’t think there’s ever an easy game, especially away. We’ve just got to keep on doing what we’re doing.

“The boys have got to stay focussed. It’s really important that, in every game, we go out and attack it.

“We’ve got an okay squad. We’ve got one maybe leaving this week, but I’m not sure so we’ll see.

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“Everyone’s playing for a place in the starting XI each week, and we’ve got some healthy competition now. The boys have just got to make sure they’re on it.”

Meanwhile, Horsham have discovered who they will face in the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup.

The Hornets will host Eastbourne Town after they ran out 2-1 winners at Roffey on Tuesday evening.

The third round tie must be played by Wednesday, November 20.

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