Match Preview: Horsham vs AFC Totton - 20th September 2025

Image courtesy of Fin Hall

By Josh Cole

After two cup games in a row, The Stags return to league action tomorrow as we travel to Horsham!

Last time out, AFC Totton progressed into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup after beating Torquay 2-0! Read the match report from that game by clicking here.

Want to hear The Gaffer’s preview for this match against Horsham? Click here to watch that interview.

Prices are cheaper to buy online for tomorrow so CLICK HERE to get your tickets and avoid the matchday price rises.

HORSHAM – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

Horsham, also known as The Hornets, are currently in 12^th place so far in the Enterprise National League South, with 13 points from eight games. Their season started with two shield matches.

In the Sussex community shield they won 2-0 against Hassocks and in the Isthmian League Charity Shield, they beat Billericay with a thumping 6-0 win.

However, their league campaign didn’t start as planned, as they found themselves winless in their first three matches, losing to Chelmsford (1-0) and Worthing (3-4), and drawing away at Chesham (0-0).

Horsham got their first three points on the board in matchday #4 at home against Torquay but returned to being winless in their next two games with a loss away at Maidenhead (2-1) and a draw at home to Salisbury (1-1).

As of recently though, form has been good for The Hornets. With two wins in their last two league games, at home to Eastbourne (2-0) and away at Maidstone (0-3), they then played Westfield of the Isthmian South-Central (step four) in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round and drew 2-2 away.

Requiring a replay on Tuesday at The Fusion Aviation Community Stadium they beat Westfield 6-0 on home turf to progress through to the next round of the FA Cup.

LAST FIVE: HORSHAM

Vs Salisbury | Home | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Reece Myles-Meekums 84’

Vs Eastbourne Borough | Home | ENLS | Won 2-0

Goalscorers: Jack Brivio 59’ & Reece Myles-Meekums 63’

Vs Maidstone United | Away | ENLS | Won 0-3

Goalscorers: Rhys Murphy 38’, Reece Myles-Meekums 45+8’ & Greg Luer 81’

Vs Westfield | Away | FA Cup Second Qualifying Round | Drew 2-2

Goalscorers: Rhys Murphy 24’ & Isaac Philpot 77’

Vs Westfield | Home | FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay | Won 6-0

Goalscorers: Lucas Rodrigues 7’, Charlie Hester-Cook 20’, Nutbeam (OG) 61’, Shamir Fenelon 75’, Greg Luer 90’ & James Roberts 90+2’.

LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON

Vs Eastbourne Borough | Home | ENLS | Won 2-1

Goalscorers: Scott Rendell 74’ & Tony Lee 86’

Vs Chesham United | Home | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Tony Lee 84’

Vs Dorking Wanderers | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-1

Goalscorer: Tony Lee 30’

Vs Eastleigh | Away | HSC R2 | Lost 2-1

Goalscorer: Hisham Kasimu 68’

Vs Torquay United | Home | FA Cup Second Qualifying Round | Won 2-0

Goalscorers: Scott Rendell 33’ & Luke Hallett 65’

View how the league table shapes up after the last five games by CLICKING HERE!

COMPARING THE STATS (all comps)

MY OPPOSITION PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Lewis Carey – Goalkeeper

Now in his second season at Horsham, having joined from rivals Lewes in the summer of 2023, Lewis is a former Bristol City apprentice who also had spells at Bromley, Tonbridge Angels, Eastbourne Borough and Thamesmead Town prior to his move to the Dripping Pan.

At Lewes was where he was voted Player of the Year in his debut season in 2018/19.

As one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Isthmian League, he produced a Man of the Match display in our 3-3 draw at Barnsley in last season’s FA Cup and ended the campaign with a Sussex Senior Cup winners’ medal.

Jack Brivio – Midfielder

Club captain Briv has been at the forefront of Horsham’s recent successes, leading the side to Play-off, League Cup, Senior Cup and FA Cup successes in the six years since joining the club from Burgess Hill Town and was voted the Hornets’ Player of the Season for 2019/20.

A cultured midfielder, Jack’s creativity has been sacrificed over the last couple of seasons when asked to cover in the centre of defence, something he has done with aplomb, but should be back in his more favoured role this campaign.

Began his career at Tonbridge Angels and scored twice to help the Hornets secure their first-ever Isthmian League Cup in 2022.

Shamir Fenelon – Forward

Sham is a big game player with an impressive footballing CV. Capped twice at U21 level for the Republic of Ireland, the powerful forward made two senior appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion and also boasts Football League experience with Torquay United, Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers and Dagenham Redbridge.

On his release by the Seagulls in 2015, he joined Crawley Town before going on to make close on a century of appearances for Aldershot Town.

Sham joined Horsham for the 2021/22 season, ending his debut campaign as the club’s top goalscorer, and although not a prolific ‘goalgetter’, he has made a habit of finding the net in some vital fixtures including our first equaliser in last season’s 3-3 FA Cup draw against Barnsley at Oakwell.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Daniel Baines

Assistant: Martin Bloor

Assistant: Andrew Crossley

Fourth Official: Thomas Farr

GO STAGS