HORNETS CAN BE PROUD AS CUP DREAMS FINALLY END

DOM Di Paola hailed his Horsham history boys as they bowed out of the FA Cup – for the second time this season.

- Sophie Haines

The Isthmian Premier Hornets had a free hit at League Two Sutton United having been reinstated after it was found League One Barnsley had fielded an ineligible player in their recent replay.

The Tykes’ loss was the Step 3 side’s game as their epic fairytale continued having drawn 3-3 at Barnsley in a thrilling first tie.

While there were no such heroics here at Gander Green Lane, proud boss Dom Paola, who made history by steering the side into the second round, reflected on a remarkable journey.

“No one will ever forget the Barnsley away trip,” said the boss, whose side will now turn their attentions back to the league when they welcome Canvey Island on Tuesday.

“It’s been good. It’s shown what we’re capable of as a group. We’ve said to the boys we have to take this into our league campaign and if we do that we’ll have a good season.

“The boys have been great. Whichever group we’ve put out over the eight or nine games, they’ve done great things for us.

“Hopefully the supporters can look back on it as a good FA Cup campaign.”

The non-league side got a reprieve after Barnsley were found to have field an ineligible player in the replay.

And on the defeat, di Paola said: “As the game went on we suffered a bit a fatigued a bit.

“We’re just disappointed we couldn’t come away with something. I just felt some of the things we’re good at we didn’t do.

“When we got in good areas, we just made the wrong decision too many times.