Horsham secure Ryman League status but it's '˜the smallest of small victories'

The Hornets had already reached 51 points before Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Herne Bay. However struggling Three Bridges’ 2-0 defeat at home to Ramsgate meant Horsham cannot now be caught by any of the bottom-three teams.

Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola admitted he was not closely monitoring the situation as for a long time he had been sure they would stay up.

However he was pleased to get over the finishing line with seven matches to go.

He said: “I thought we were alright just after Christmas.

“We haven’t been too concerned since October and we haven’t been in the bottom-three. The first six weeks were tricky but we pulled clear and have had two or three really good wins during the season.

“It’s the smallest of small victories. We have higher expectations to do well but it was a requirement of the club to stay up and it’s good to know we will be in this league next season.”