Two more join Horsham with vision of building for next season

Hastings United v Whyteleafe football action - Taser Hassan. Picture by Joe Knight

Safety is all-but assured this year with the Hornets 26 points clear of the bottom three in the South Division.

With nine games left to play in their first season back at this level, the management now have both eyes firmly on next season and the next step.

That is likely to be a bid for a play-off push and Di Paola is already trying to work potential new players into his squad ready for that to assure they don’t have the same selection problems from the start of this season.

Having brought in Ashley-Paul Robinson, Liam Wright and James Thurgar two weeks ago, both Taser Hassan and Alex Laing joined ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Corinthian Casuals.

Well-travelled winger Hassan - son of actor Tamer Hassan - counts Portsmouth and Huddersfield amongst his youth clubs and has played for a plethora of Ryman League teams. Former Lewes striker Laing has made the switch from league-below Haywards Heath.

Di Paola said: “I like Taser, he is like a lot of players we have signed over the last 12 months, all the ability in the world, but his consistency just lacks a bit.

“He’s a nice lad and maybe he is one for next season. He has moved about a bit and we had him down in Hastings when we were down there. He played up front and scored six in six, before we left.

“We tried to get Alex last year, but he decided to stay at Lewes when Darren Freeman came in, but left for Haywards Heath. It didn’t work out and he has decided to join with a view for next season. We have signed a few now and it gives us options to get the feel of them looking towards next season.”

Horsham travel to second-bottom Chatham Town on Saturday and Di Paola is not underestimating their opponents.

He said: “They drew with Hastings on Saturday which shows that anyone can get a result in this league. They are fighting for their lives and crying out for a win.

“We need to continue where we left off on Saturday, it’s no coincidence that all our big game players turned up, we need them to do that again.”