Trip to Barnsley in FA Cup first round 'probably the biggest game' in Horsham FC's history

The Hornets secured passage to the first round for the second time in three seasons thanks to a superb 2-0 home victory over National League Dorking in front of a sell-out crowd on Saturday.

And Horsham’s heroics have been rewarded with a glamour tie at former Premier League club Barnsley, who are third in League One, over the weekend of November 3-6.

Di Paola said: “We’re playing the third-best team [in the competition] in terms of their ability. It’s a big stadium, and they’ve played in the Premier League historically. They’re a really big, established Football League club. It’s everything you could have asked for.

“This is why I was getting ratty with the boys in the earlier rounds. The prize later down the line is huge. This is a big one for the club financially and, for me, it’s probably the biggest game in the club’s history, in the sense of where Barnsley are currently in the table.

"For me, it’s probably bigger than Swansea [Horsham’s FA Cup second round opponents in 2007] in that respect.

“It’s a reward for the players, the management team, the supporters, and everyone behind the scenes at Horsham that do so much work to keep us progressing.

“I said last time that being in the first round was a once in a lifetime experience - now it’s twice in a lifetime!”

Two goals in two first half minutes from Daniel Ajakaiye and Shamir Fenelon saw the Hornets advance to the first round proper.

And Di Paola said the first half performance was one of the best he’s ever seen from one of his sides.

He added: “The boys were brilliant. The first half is up there with one of the best halves one of my teams have ever played. We were phenomenal.

“You have to be at your absolute best on the day to bridge the gap and I think we were. I was really pleased with everyone.

"The subs that came on were brilliant, and it was a brilliant all-round team performance. The management team got it right and did their jobs brilliantly. That’s what you need.”