The Blues are preparing to face Horsham on Saturday in the second of three home matches in a week, as we approach the end of a very busy November period for the Blues. Tuesday night saw us put up an excellent defensive display in the second half with ten men to thwart Chatham Town and share the points on a bitterly cold evening at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, this followed our first league clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 win at Whitehawk last Saturday.
Our Opponents
Horsham have had a resurgence in recent years since appointing current manager Dom Di Paola; as recently as 2015/16 the Hornets were battling in the Sussex County League (step 5), and were crowned champions that year. A few years in the Isthmian South division followed, before they were promoted back into the Isthmian Premier League in 2018/19, while they completed their move into their new stadium in 2019/20 too. Since re-joining this level the Hornets haven’t looked back, with solid performances in their first few years followed up with 7th in 2022/23, narrowly missing out on a playoff place by only 2 points, before finishing 5th last season and securing the final playoff spot.
It is not just league performances that have exceeded expectations in recent years, back in 2007/08 Horsham reached the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, facing Swansea City and taking them to a replay. Last season, the Hornets matched this performance, going on an excellent FA Cup run before being defeated by Sutton United. This season, the Hornets reached the First Round, before losing to League Two side Chesterfield.
In the league this season, Horsham currently sit in 15th place with 17 points from 12 games (W5 D2 L5). The Hornets have as many as four games in hand over some of the teams above them (the Blues included), in what is a familiar situation for Horsham, given their cup exploits both this season and last. It is not just the FA Cup where Horsham have had success, last season they reached the Last 32 of the FA Trophy, and this season have just defeated Maidstone United to set up an away trip to Torquay United in a couple of weeks' time. As such, the league table doesn't quite tell the full story this season, and on current form, you would imagine Horsham will be in and around the playoff spots once they have caught up with their league fixtures.
Head to Head
Last season we secured a home victory over Horsham, winning 2-0 at the Maurice Rebak Stadium in October, thanks to a goal apiece from Elliot Long and Ruben Carvalho. In the reverse fixture it was a 1-1 draw, an Alkeo Bani thunderbolt rescuing a point after Charlie Hester-Cook gave the Hornets a first half lead.
Last Time Out
The Hornets' most recent matches have seen two cup victories, off the back of two league defeats. On Tuesday night, Horsham beat Eastbourne Town in the Sussex Cup, after the giant-slaying victory over Maidstone United in the FA Trophy last weekend, winning 2-1 thanks to a very early goal from Daniel Ajakaiye to settle the nerves and then doubling the lead through Reece Myles-Meekums, a late penalty from Maidstone set up a tense finish but Horsham held on in front of over 1,200 fans at home. Prior to this, in the league, Horsham had two defeats on the road, first 1-0 at Cray Valley PM, and then 2-0 against our midweek opponents Chatham Town.
Players To Watch
One of Horsham's most dangerous attackers is Daniel Ajakaiye; the striker has six goals so far this season after netting 20 last season and 14 in 2022/23. Prior to this, he scored 31 goals for Hastings United in a single season in 2018/19 at step 4 to set up a move to Havant & Waterlooville. This season, Ajakaiye has been fit and firing on all cylinders, and could well prove to be a threat to the Blues on Saturday.
Horsham's most recent arrival is Bobby-Joe Taylor. The left-sided full back is on loan from National League South side Dorking Wanderers. After starting in Chelsea's academy, Taylor played a handful of games in the EFL for Cambridge United before settling at National League level with the likes of Maidstone United, Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet United. Most recently, he has been at Dorking Wanderers, playing a prominent role in Marc White's side and featuring heavily on the 'Bunch of Amateurs' YouTube series, as well as being head coach of the Wanderers' U19 side.
For the Blues, goalkeeper Charlie Grainger was at his immense best on Tuesday night, making multiple saves from the very top drawer to keep the Blues in the tie and ensure that we kept hold of a point. Grainger has become an increasingly vital part of Ahmet Rifat's side since his arrival. Hear more from Charlie after his performance on Tuesday night below:
Meanwhile, the Blues defence in front of Grainger has contributed significantly to the recent good results, including the solid rearguard display in the midweek draw and the 2-0 win over Whitehawk last weekend. Toby Byron has been an integral part of the defensive trio since his arrival in the summer and his marauding runs from the left side are something that Blues fans have become accustomed to this season.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Saturday. Our bar will be open from 1pm, and hot food will be served, including our new gourmet hot dogs; 'The Smokey Joe' and 'The Cow & Cask'. Cash and card is accepted throughout the stadium and tickets can be bought in advance here, or on the gate on matchday.
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
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