Horsham FC boss: Start is similar to last year's flying opening

The Horsham and Carshalton players await a corner / Picture: Horsham FC

Horsham had a mixed week, with an excellent 2-1 win at Wingate and Finchley followed by a 3-1 loss at Carshalton two days later.

Although Di Paola’s side have lost three of their first six league games, he says performance levels have been consistent and they are only four points worse off than this stage last season, when they surprised many in the division with a flying start that enabled them to stay near the top throughout the campaign.

Rob O’Toole’s double enabled them to come from behind to win 2-1 at Wingate but a Charlie Harris penalty was all they had to show from a 3-1 loss at Carshalton.

How Horsham beat Wingate.

How Horsham lost to Carshalton.

Horsham will start Saturday’s home tussle with Brightlingsea Regent in 11th spot and Di Paola said the display at Cheshunt was the only one that had disappointed him so far.

“It feels like we’ve been playing non-stop so far and playing Sunday-Tuesday-Saturday-Monday was tough,” said the boss, who takes the Hornets to East Thurrock on Tuesday.

“But overall we’re doing well. After doing brilliantly against Enfield we put in a positive performance to win at Wingate in windy conditions.

“At Carshalton, I’d say it was the best we’d played against them since I’ve been at the club. How we were two down at the break I don’t know.

“We do have issues to address at both ends. We’re not keeping clean sheets, and that makes it hard to win games, and nor are we taking enough of our chances.

“But I can’t fault the effort the players are putting in. We do need to look at why we’re not always turning good performances into wins.”

Di Paola’s selection options are gradually improving. Skipper Jack Brivio was back from injury as a sub at Carshalton and winger Arron Hopkinson is available after suspension.

But midfielder Doug Tuck is a couple of weeks from fitness after feeling a reaction to a recent injury.

The manager praised the goal heroes of recent games, O’Toole and Harris, and challenged them to keep up their present scoring rate.

“Rob gives you so much more than goals – he does the job of two players,” he said. “And as for Charlie, I’m hard on him because I keep telling him he could be playing several levels higher.”