Horsham rely on experience in latest FA Cup adventure

Horsham fans are on their third adventure into the FA Cup proper in four seasons.

Dominic Di Paola says Horsham’s recent experience of big FA Cup ties means they won’t be fazed when they visit Chesterfield on Saturday.

The Isthmian League Premier Division side made it to the second round last season, losing at Sutton, then of League Two.

They had drawn 3-3 at League One Barnsley in the previous round before being reinstated after losing the replay at home, with the Tykes fielding an ineligible player.

The Hornets also put up a battling display before a late 2-0 defeat at Carlisle United in the first round three years ago.

Di Paola told BBC South Today: “Chesterfield will be a tough ask and a big challenge, but we have lots of big game experience – we are not going to freeze.”

Dominic Di Paola has led seventh-tier Horsham into the first round of the FA Cup three times in four seasons

Some 74 places in the football ladder separate Horsham from Chesterfield, who are sixth in League Two following their promotion from the National League last season.

Di Paola admitted: "We know what we are up against. We know they are a really good side. They are flying at the moment, in and amongst the play-offs in League Two – I expect them to make the play-offs they are a really good side.

"They have got that bounce from coming up as National League champions so they are in a good place as a club.

"Our boys are looking forward to testing themselves against that standard of opposition, hopefully we do ourselves justice and perform at our best on the day."

It's a fifth encounter with EFL opposition in just under three years for the Hornets after the visit to Carlisle in 2021, two games against Barnsley and the second round defeat at Sutton last season.

"We’ve got 13 of that squad (from last season) still, a lot of boys have that experience, and there are four or five from Carlisle still. One or two have played these sorts of games too with other clubs too."

Horsham striker Chris Dickson assisted two goals as Hornchurch won the 2021 FA Trophy at Wembley

Now 39, Horsham striker Chris Dickson, formerly of Charlton, has scored in the Europa League against Marseille during a spell with AEL Limassol in Cyprus, won two Ghana caps and lifted the FA Trophy with Hornchurch at Wembley in 2021.

"They are well versed. We have lots of big game experience," Di Paolo added. "It’s going to be a tough ask and a big challenge to do anything on the day but we are looking forward to it, we’ll embrace it, it should be a good occasion for the club."

The manager - who is nearing a decade in charge at Hop Oast - said he was treating the trip to the Spireites "like any other game."

"If you big it up and turn it into something more that’s when you start to create nerves and get in everyone's head too much," Di Paolo said.

"The Barnsley replay was a bad example of that – we got caught up in all the external stuff. I don’t think that night we were right. We had TV coming to training and matches, in the changing room, I think we got a bit caught up in that and had a terrible start on the night. This time is a bit different.

"We’ve been so lucky the past few years, had so many good moments, these are games everyone can enjoy."