Isuzu FA Trophy action returns to Plainmoor for Tuesday night’s rearranged fixture between United and Horsham FC.
United are fresh from back-to-back wins in the National League South, scoring eight goals in the process. We need a Cup atmosphere at Plainmoor to cheer the lads on!
Who’s the boss?
Dominic Di Paola
After a playing career in which he played for both Worthing and Worthing United, Di Paola took the managerial reigns of Clymping. He guided them to promotion from the West Sussex League to the County League Division Two in just three seasons. His return to Worthing United led to another promotion before leading East Preston to two County League titles. He also lead EPFC to the finals of five Sussex cup competitions as well as success in the FA Vase.
Di Paola took over Horsham once they were already consigned to relegation to the County League. His rebuild led to the club winning their first league title in twenty years when they clinched the 2015/16 Southern Combination League in fine style. Improvement has followed each season since, culminating in promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division via the play-offs. Strong runs on the FA Cup and the FA Trophy have followed.
How have they been doing?
Horsham currently find themselves in fourteenth place in the Isthmian Premier Division. They go into this game having won 5-0 against Bowers & Pitsea before a 2-1 loss away to Billericay Town.
Horsham’s FA Trophy journey has seen them beat Leiston (1-1, pens), Canvey Island (0-2), and their biggest scalp, Maidstone United (2-1).
They have also had a very impressive run in the FA Cup, reaching the first round proper before losing 3-1 away to Chesterfield. They had beaten Virginia Water, Dorking Wanderers, Margate, and Gorleston to reach that stage.
Played for both
Shamir Fenelon
Shamir Fenelon (formerly Shamir Goodwin) made 12 loan appearances for United during the 2013/14 season. During that spell he scored his first ever league goal away to Chesterfield in a 3-1 defeat.
Including his loan spell with United, Fenelon made five loan moves whilst with his first club, Brighton & Hove Albion. He signed permanently with Crawley Town in 2015 before stays at Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United and Billericay Town followed.
Fenelon has been with Horsham since 2021 and has made 77 appearances scoring 18 goals.