Horsham urged to play their own game in cup semi-final with Newhaven

Horsham will be bidding to further their hopes of a league and cup double as they take on Newhaven in the semi-final of the Peter Bentley Cup tonight.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Apr 2016, 11:27 BST
Updated 5th Apr 2016, 11:36 BST

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Football Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola and assistant Ian Browne. 02-04-16. SR1609651 Pic Steve Robards SUS-160404-111311001Football Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola and assistant Ian Browne. 02-04-16. SR1609651 Pic Steve Robards SUS-160404-111311001
Football Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola and assistant Ian Browne. 02-04-16. SR1609651 Pic Steve Robards SUS-160404-111311001

The two sides meet for the second time in four days tonight in the last-four clash at Haywards Heath Town’s Hanbury Stadium.

A narrow 1-0 victory on Saturday saw the Hornets take a step closer to the Premier Division title, but manager Dominic Di Paola is expecting a different game tonight.

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He admits as much as he would swap a possible win this evening for three league points on Saturday against Eastbourne United, they still have their sights set on a final date.

Di Paola said: “We got the game plan right on Saturday, but Tuesday will be different. It will be less about them and more about us.

“We can play our normal game and play more our way, the football that we are used to.

“We obviously want to win, what’s the point in getting to the semi-final and not? It’s just one more game.

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“I have said before, we want to win every game we play. In saying that, I would take a win Saturday over it, only because of where we are and the position we are in.

“But there is no point in getting here and not going for it. Also, again, I have said it before, but because of the size of our squad we haven’t got the numbers to switch a load of players out.

“We have had such a hard run in this cup, we have played all top six teams, so we have done all that hard work, it would be silly to not go for it, but it’ll be another tough game.”

Horsham have already knocked out Loxwood, Eastbourne Town and Pagham, while The Dockers have overcome AFC Uckfield, Steyning Town and St Francis Rangers in earlier rounds.

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The winners of the tie will face either Lancing or Little Common in the final, the latter were reinstated last month after Broadbridge Heath were thrown out of the competition for player an ineligible player in their quarter-final victory.

Kick-off in Mid Sussex in 7.45pm.

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Related topics:NewhavenHaywards Heath TownHornetsPremier DivisionMid Sussex