Supporters can purchase away tickets directly through Horsham, with admission priced at just £8 for adults and from as little as £2 for Under-16s – click HERE to secure your place!
U21s preview v Horsham: Young Eagles' second pre-season test
Crystal Palace Under-21s travel to face Horsham FC at the Fusion Aviation Ground on Tuesday, 28th July (KO: 19:45 BST) in the second of four scheduled pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Eagle-Eyed Review
Crystal Palace U21s opened pre-season with defeat against National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road last Tuesday.
Head coach Darren Powell named a youthful side featuring a number of Under-18s and first-year U21s, with George King, Mofe Jemide, Charlie Walker-Smith, Dean Benamar and Joel Drakes-Thomas all involved in the first-team's pre-season preparations.
Despite the result, Palace banked valuable minutes in the legs against strong senior opposition before returning to South London for tomorrow’s meeting with the Daggers’ fellow National League South outfit Horsham.
The Opposition – Horsham FC
Horsham enjoyed a historic 2024/25 campaign, clinching the Isthmian Premier Division title on goal difference with a 5-1 final-day victory over Hashtag United to secure promotion to the National League South for the first time in the club's history.
The Hornets adapted well to life in Step Two of non-league, finishing 15th with 59 points in their debut campaign.
Preparations for the new season have included five pre-season fixtures against opposition from across the non-league pyramid. Victories over Eastleigh, AFC Wimbledon’s Academy and Eastbourne were followed by a draw with Dulwich Hamlet before National League Sutton United inflicted Horsham's first defeat at the weekend.
Team news
Horsham were without Jack Brivio, Harvey Sparks, Danny Barker and Sam Howes for Saturday's defeat to Sutton, while summer signings Niall McManus and Ronan Silva are still awaiting their first appearances.
Likely line-up
Horsham (predicted): Howes; Elliott, Hester-Cook, J. Hammond, Nadesan, Yila, Luer, Taylor, Myles-Meekums, Trialist, Harding.
Pre-match analysis
Horsham finished 15th in the National League South last season with 15 wins, 14 draws and 17 defeats.
The Hornets scored 53 league goals – the fourth-fewest in the division – but balanced that with one of the league's stronger defensive records, conceding the sixth-fewest goals.
Home form was a particular strength towards the end of the campaign, with three wins, one draw and one defeat from their final five league matches. Their pre-season record currently stands at three wins, one draw and one loss.
Key Player – James Hammond
James Hammond has become a key figure since joining Horsham in July 2023, helping the club lift the Sussex Senior Cup, reach the Isthmian Premier Division play-offs and the second round of the FA Cup in his first season.
A combative yet creative midfielder, Hammond is renowned for his quality from dead-ball situations, with six of his 15 goals during the promotion-winning campaign coming from set-pieces.
He made his senior debut for Peacehaven & Telscombe at 16 before making almost 200 appearances for Lewes. A three-year spell with Eastbourne Borough followed before his move to Horsham in the summer of 2023.
Hammond continued his influence following promotion in 2024/25, scoring 12 league goals in Horsham's first National League South campaign.
The Gaffer – Dominic Di Paola
Dominic Di Paola has overseen Horsham's rise through the non-league pyramid since taking charge in 2015.
After rebuilding a side relegated to the Southern Combination League, he guided the Hornets to the league title in 2015/16 before earning promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division via the play-offs in 2018/19.
Under his leadership, Horsham have also enjoyed success in the cup competitions, lifting the Isthmian League Cup and ending a 48-year wait for the Sussex Senior Cup, while recording memorable runs in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
His greatest achievement came in 2024/25, leading Horsham to the Isthmian Premier Division title before guiding the club to a respectable 15th-place finish in their first National League South campaign.
How to follow
Supporters can follow live updates throughout the evening on our Official Academy X account, with a full match report available on cpfc.co.uk after full-time.
Ticket information
Away admission
- Adult: £8
- Student / Under-18: £4
- Senior (65+): £4
- Under-16: £2
Match details
Horsham v Crystal Palace Under-21s
- Fusion Aviation Ground
- Tuesday, 28th July
- 19:45 BST
- Pre-season friendly
- Click HERE to buy tickets