Liam Baitup scored twice as the Hornets were held to a 2-2 draw at Horley Town this evening. The former Eastbourne Town striker scored the game's opening goal, converting a cross from Tony Nwachukwu for his first goal in Horsham colours, but the Combined Counties side equalised immediately after the break. An injury to goalkeeper Paul Seuke saw Horley 'loan' their opponents their substitute 'keeper and he was beaten following a mix up with Lee Carney. Afoul on Nwachukwu gave Baitup the chance to add his second of the night from a free-kick only for the hosts to equalise a second time to leave John Maggs' side without a win in 4 pre-season fixtures.

Congratulations are in order to Jenny Brittain who wins the £ 100 top prize in August's draw of the 200 Club. If you want to stand a chance of winning a monthly cash prize, for just a minimum monthly fee of £2.50, contact Roger Harris for details on how to join.

Horsham completed a miserable week when they fell to a disappointing defeat at Fleet Town to record their third defeat in five days. It took just two minutes for Mark Anderson to give the hosts the lead, with his 6th goal in five games, and Adam Wallace added a second from the penalty spot after Paul Seuke had brought down James Field. Although the Hornets improved after the break, they were unable to breach the Ryman Division One South side's goal and now go to Horley Town on Tuesday night hoping to rediscover the winning touch with the start of the new season just four weeks away.

A hat-trick by Scott Taylor saw Lewes to a comfortable victory at the Dripping Pan tonight to condemn Horsham to their second defeat in 3 days. John Maggs' side competed well enough, despite the absence of Jacob Mingle, Sam Page and Alex Haddow, but fell behind as early as the 9th minute when Taylor held off two challenges to score. The hosts, with former Hornets Tom Graves and Matt Geard in their starting line-up, doubled their lead on 32 minutes when Taylor lobbed Paul Seuke while Lee Farrell and Lee Carey went close for the visitors. Lee Carney saw a cross tipped on to the crossbar after the break but the former Oxford United striker completed his hat-trick just after the hour when he capitalised on poor defending to lift the ball over Seuke before being replaced by another ex-Horshamite, Stefan Cox. The Hornets' gruelling schedule sees them travel to free-scoring Fleet Town on Saturday.

Horsham's first match at their new Worthing base ended in defeat after 2 goals in the final 3 minutes condemned John Maggs' side to their first loss of the summer. The scoreline was harsh on the Hornets who matched the Conference League new boys for long periods of the game and thoroughly deserved their equalising goal when Lee Farrell's 69th minute shot cancelled out Borough's classy opener from Paul Armstrong. There were impressive performances from Gary Charman, Sam Page, Russell Eldridge and Lee Carey, who saw a 35 yard effort bounce off of Chris Winterton's crossbar, but Horsham were made to pay for a failure to convert a number of chances when former loan striker Jean Michel Sigere nodded home an 87th minute corner and Alan Tait wrapped things up in the final seconds with a terrific first time shot. report now on-line

Horsham secured a second win in three days with victory at Herne Bay this afternoon. Jack Page made the most of Lee Carey's assist to give the Hornets a 13th minute lead and trialist Sam Jeremiah grabbed the second in the 90th minute.
report now on-line

Horsham's supporters will be licking their lips at the news of a possible trip to Pagham after the Brighton Argus carried news of the second round draw of the Sussex Senior Cup this afternoon. The small coastal village, situated just 7 miles from Chichester, is hardly a hotbed of football but to those who have visited the exposed Nyetimber Lane ground the trip is as much to do with with the offerings from the local fish and chip shop as the match itself ! However, before the fans can consider placing their orders, the Lions must get past Ringmer in the first round. The dates of these ties are yet to be announced. Elsewhere, current holders Brighton & Hove Albion will play Crawley Town, Lewes travel to Wick and Horsham YMCA meet the winners of the Storrington v St Francis Rangers tie.

Reggie Savage scored twice as Horsham's new look side cruised to a comfortable win at Horsham YMCA this evening. The much travelled striker boosted his chances of securing a move to the club with a first half brace, either side of an own goal by Chris Georgiou, as the Hornets took early control of the game against their town rivals. Savage struck in the 12th minute, expertly converting a cross from Jacob Mingle, and the second followed just 3 minutes later when Georgiou, under pressure from Savage, thrashed the ball in to his own net from close range. It was 3-0 in the 36th minute when the former Heybridge Swifts man applied a cool finish and the scoring was completed immediately after the break when the impressive Mark Knee pounced on a loose ball to fire past Tom Rand in the YM goal. report now on-line

John Maggs has added further strength to his squad ahead of the new season with Russell Eldridge and Jack Page agreeing terms with the Hornets this week. Eldridge, a left sided full-back, follows former Hastings United team-mate Lee Carey in making the switch from East to West Sussex while the much coveted Page agreed to join brother Sam who signed a one-year contract with the club last month. "These are two very exciting signings," said a delighted Maggs. "Russell has been very impressive in training and it's no secret that I've been trying to get Jack to join us this summer." Supporters will get their first glimpse of the new look squad in Thursday night's friendly at Horsham YMCA (KO 7.45pm) after Maggs revealed that he is likely to field as many as 6 of his new signings against the County Leaguers. Striker Reggie Savage will be given a starting role as he looks to impress the manager and secure a deal with the club.

There was an air of inevitability about the release of the 2008/9 Ryman League fixture list as the Hornets learned that they will begin the new season on the road with a visit to newly promoted Canvey Island. Twelve years have passed since Horsham last opened the campaign with a home fixture but they can, at least, look forward to a 'home' match with which to conclude the season when Harrow Borough visit Woodside Road on April 25th. Due to the groundshare arrangement with Worthing, the Hornets will stage their 'home' matches on Wednesday nights next season with Staines Town getting the home programme started when they make the journey down from Middlesex on August 20th. Tooting & Mitcham United provide the opposition for the traditional Christmas & Easter Bank Holiday ties while the calendar has thrown up difficult midweek trips to Dover, Ramsgate and Hendon. The 2008/9 season gets under way on Saturday 16th August. John Maggs' side are back in Horsham this Thursday as their pre-season programme commences with a fixture against Horsham YMCA.

Howie the Hornet will be hoping for some decent weather this weekend as he goes in search of gold at the 2008 Mascot Olympic Games. A host of larger than life characters will descend upon Milton Keynes on Saturday 12th July hoping to display their prowess in such events as Welly Wanging, the Toboggan Plunge, an obstacle course and a penalty shoot-out and be crowned Olympic Champion 2008. Howie will be looking at going one better than last year's excellent showing where he took second place, and the silver medal, behind local mascot Gully Mouse in an event that is being staged to help raise funds for the St Francis Childrens' Society.
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Horsham Independent Supporters' Club are pleased to announce that the 'Party in the Park' will return this Sunday and club members, their families and anyone wanting to join H.I.S.C. are welcome to come along and join in the fun. Weather permitting, the plan is to meet in Horsham Park (close to the car park down North Parade) from 1pm for games and a picnic. H.I.S.C. will provide the balls, bats etc (but if you want to bring your own then feel free) and a good time will be guaranteed for everyone. It will provide a good opportunity for members and Horsham FC fans to meet, socialise and have fun before the season begins and maybe share their views on such topics as the ground situation etc. Feel free to bring your own picnic and hopefully enjoy some nice weather. If the weather is not good then this event will be called off without notice although it is hoped that a message will be posted on the unofficial fans' forum at the earliest opportunity. Please do support this event, it will give those who have not handed their application forms in yet a chance to hand them over.

Horsham secretary John Lines has reacted angrily to the decision to reject the club's plans to establish a new football ground at the Holbrook Club following a meeting of Horsham District Council's Planning Committee this evening. The packed Council Chambers saw the club's hopes of building a 4000 capacity ground unanimously rejected to leave Mr Lines upset but defiant. "All of the Horsham Football Club Supporters, the Players, Officials and the Board are deeply upset by the decision of the Planning Committee to refuse our application this evening to build our new home at Holbrook. There are of course other options and other routes we can take to re submit our application and we will be looking at all aspects very closely. What was most disturbing to us was the amount of criticism levelled at HFC by Councillors for the apparent shortcomings in our application which had been prepared for us by so-called professional consultants. It is the duty of the Board of the Club to examine in detail what went wrong here and bring the ‘professional consultants’ to account as to why they appeared to fail so badly in the process of proving the Club’s case. Do not think this is the end, this is a setback but Horsham Football Club will have their new ground and the resolve in the Boardroom is to make sure we are back in Horsham sooner rather than later. Now, in the time of adversity, is when we need the support of all of the fans and urge everyone to get behind the Club."

Kevin Hemsley has ruled himself out of John Maggs' immediate plans after announcing that business commitments will see him spending much of the next few months overseas. The former Crawley Town defender is currently travelling throughout Europe on a new business venture and has declared himself unavailable until October at the earliest.

Horsham have been handed 'home' ties in the FA Cup and FA Trophy after the draws were made at FA headquarters today. Leatherhead or Sittingbourne must fight for the right to visit Woodside Road in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy on 18th October but it is less clear-cut in the FA Cup where the Hornets will host either Wealden, East Grinstead Town, Banstead Athletic or Colliers Wood United on September 13th.