It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance, says skipper

HORSHAM captain Jack Brivio is targeting a place in the “promised land” of the third round of the FA Cup after being handed a second chance in the competition.

The Sussex minnows lost 3-0 to Barnsley in a first-round replay in November, but were reinstated following the League One side’s expulsion for fielding an ineligible player.

The Hornets, who are currently in ninth position in the Isthmian League Premier Division, therefore take on Sutton today and could secure a dream tie with Premier League opposition by reaching round three for the first time in the club’s history.

Sutton are bottom of League Two and on a five-game winless run in all competitions since beating Fylde 2-1 in the previous round.

Brivio told BBC Radio Sussex: “We’ve been given an opportunity to go to the promised land of the third round and we will give it our all. It’s stuff you dream of as a kid, playing against these teams in these iconic stadiums.

“You don’t get opportunities like this too often and we have to make the most of it on the day because this is once-in-a-lifetime stuff that we are involved in now.”

Nine other non-League teams share Horsham’s dream of earning a glamorous, money-spinning tie in round three, including Alfreton and Maidstone, who have home ties with Walsall and Barrow respectively. Barrow have won their last seven games but face a round-trip of almost 700 miles.

Barnet, who are third in the National League, go to Newport County, while National League leaders Chesterfield – who are 11 points clear at the top – are at home to Leyton Orient.