‘We just keep getting good things’ – Special days keep coming as Horsham FC claim Scunthorpe scalp in FA Trophy
Dominic Di Paola hailed another special day for Horsham FC as they dumped ex-Football League club Scunthorpe United out of the FA Trophy.
The Hornets advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history with a famous 2-1 victory at the Iron, coming from a goal down to win with goals from Reece Myles-Meekums and Jake Elliott.
The reward for Horsham – who have reached the first round of the FA Cup three times in the past five seasons and lifted two consecutive Sussex Senior Cups under Di Paola – is a home tie against Southend United, formerly of the Championship, on Saturday, February 28.
Di Paola said: “We just keep getting good things and that was another one. It was another great moment for the club and the supporters had an amazing weekend.
“I’m struggling to fit it on a bit of paper, all these good things! All of them are really good in their own individual moments. But this was brilliant.
“You go to a club that’s fourth in the league above, and they’re in an unbelievable place and they’ve got really good players, and our boys were just so impressive.”
Horsham trailed inside ten minutes, but the Hornets – roared on by 115 vociferous travelling fans – fought back superbly to lead.
Myles-Meekums tapped home to equalise on 20 minutes before turning provider 13 minutes later. His pinpoint cross from a short corner found Elliott at the back post and he headed into the bottom corner.
Di Paola said: “They [the players] did amazing. Going up in one day, and all the travel and everything, and performing like that is really impressive.
“They should be really proud of themselves. They always give their all. They’re a pretty diligent bunch but they played really well as well.
“It wasn’t a ‘type the bus’ type thing. In the first half we played really well and then in the second half, for 25, 30 minutes we were okay and then in the last 15 we had three or four boys injured. That made it a bit harder.
“But in general it was a really good performance. They [Scunthorpe] don’t lose many at home so we’ve got to be really pleased with that.”
Horsham return to National League South action this Saturday with a trip to third-from-bottom Enfield Town, then host Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday.
You can get Di Paola’s thoughts on the Hornets’ FA Trophy quarter-final draw and the latest team news ahead of Enfield online tomorrow at sussexworld.co.uk/sport.