A first visit to Horsham’s Camping World Stadium kicked off my weekend. Horsham, known as the Hornets, play in the Isthmian Premier League, where last season they finished just outside the play off places in seventh place.

The Camping World Stadium is well equipped with a huge clubhouse, a large grandstand and four covered standing areas, which given the heavy rain was very useful!! Parking was across the main road opposite the ground but stewards were helpful, although a traffic light crossing would help, as the traffic on the main road was really fast! The ground benefits from a decent electronic scoreboard and a 3G pitch.

Managed by Dom Di Paola, Horsham have been busy in the close season, signing the experienced defender, Sami El-Abd and ex Brighton midfielder Charlie Harris, both from Whitehawk, along with James Hammond who has joined to further strengthen the midfield, from Eastbourne Borough.

Opponents, Metropolitan Police FC, who play at Imber Court, were relegated voluntarily at the end of 2022-23, into the Isthmian League South Central Division. New manager Paul Burnell was appointed in May 2023, following the departure of long serving manager, Gavin McPherson. Bayley Mummery has arrived in the summer to bolster the attack, from Corinthian Casuals.

It was Horsham who absorbed some early pressure from the Met Police FC side before opening the scoring on 14 minutes with a tap in goal following a neat set piece, for a triallist.

The remainder of the half saw Horsham have all the possession and chances, with Met Police FC coming back into the game, in the final five minutes of the half. At the break, however, the score remained 1-0 to Horsham FC.

Within a minute of the restart the scores were level when Karim Akinnbibi, scored for Met Police to make it 1-1 in the 46th minute.

Horsham struck back immediately from a corner when the triallist scored his second of the evening and re-established the lead at 2-1 for Horsham in the 48th minute.

There was a penalty awarded to the home side, after another triallist was fouled in the area in the 62nd minute. A smart save, low to his left by Met Police FC keeper Liam Beach, prevented Horsham’s triallist securing his hat trick.

In the 75th minute the scores were level again when Billy White-Saunders broke for Met Police, to finish with aplomb, making it 2-2 and securing a well deserved comeback.

At the final whistle, the crowd of 367, left having seen a well deserved and hard fought draw. Both sides will have been pleased with their performances tonight.