Another Saturday gone and still awaiting a first win of the season for Horsham in a competitive match. This time around it was the infamous FA Cup. After last years disappointment of crashing out at the first hurdle, it was familiar pain yet again by the same scoreline. The pain feeling more severe after the dizzy heights of reaching the fourth qualifying round in 2008 and the Second Round Proper in 2007.
Losing 4-2 to Folkestone Invicta last weekend was especially painful. The difference between this years FA Cup experience and last years of course is the lead up to it. The record speaks for itself. Last year at this stage our vital statistics were P7 W2 D2 L3. Whilst not the most impressive record, comparing it to this seasons stats of P6 W0 D1 L5, you can understand the frustration amongst the Horsham support.
Still, the greatest domestic cup competition in the world wasn't a total bust amongst the non-league clubs. Some real fairytale stories amongst the lower league teams. Alton Town getting a fantastic 2-1 away win at table topping Sutton United. Also, Guildford City winning 4-0 away at Tonbridge Angels.
So what does this mean to all the winners over the weekend? The obvious of course is a place in the second qualifying round where the Blue Square North and South teams enter the competition. £3,000 prize money for disposing of their opponents, not to mention half of the gate receipts. There's also the opportunity for more money in half the gate receipts in the next round.
The ultimate dream however, is still alive for all those that went into the hat at 11am on Monday. And that is a long term dream. Because if they are lucky enough to negotiate the second round, the third, and the tough fourth round ties where the Blue Square Premier clubs enter, they immediately face the prospect of meeting a Southampton or a Sheffield Wednesday. And that is the dream and the Magic of the FA Cup.
Horsham have done it, as you might be aware. Back in November 2007 we played host to Swansea City in the second round proper during our final Season at Queen Street. We took them to a replay and were live on Sky twice. It was a great day for the fans and the club alike, with plenty of revenue created to help us towards our new ground.
We were fortunate enough to even see our name in the hat for the third round, and even though we were disappointed at getting Havant & Waterlooville, the 4th round tie would've been very mouthwatering indeed.
Let's not take anything away from the south coast side though, they had a terrific day at Anfield and I'm sure reaped the rewards. Now THAT is the ULTIMATE Dream. It doesn't happen very often, but any Non-League team to face one of the 'Big Four' has to be the 'tie' of the round in any instance.
But, yet again that dream is over for the Hornets, going out to same league opposition, 4-2, away from home, for the second year running. Another year with just Half the gate receipts for our FA Cup income.
The next question is then, what does the lack of an FA Cup run do for the club? Apart from the obvious lack of prize money and ticket sales, we potentially lose a fair bit of publicity, indirectly linking to less people attending games. This can be disastrous for any club with a small budget, or high outgoings. Also for any club without it's own ground and facilities. Still, that story's for another day!
All in all then, a beautifully magical FA Cup weekend for the winners and a bitter pill to swallow for the losers. Despite being on the losing side however, us fans had a fantastic day out, with plenty of Beer, some pool, some lard and a couple of games of spoof to boot. Yours truly winning the second game to come out £7 up!
Silver Lining - There's always the FA Trophy
