Barnsley will be bidding to book their spot in the second round of the FA Cup when they host Isthmian League Premier Division side Horsham on Friday night.

The hosts are currently fifth in the League One table, while Horsham, who last reached the second round of the FA Cup in 2007-08, sit seventh in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Match preview

Barnsley's Nicky Cadden celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 13, 2023 © Reuters

Barnsley will be looking to avoid what would be a gigantic shock on Friday evening, with all of the pressure on the League One outfit to advance to the second round of the competition.

The Tykes will bring a five-game unbeaten run into this match, including a 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town in the league last time out, with the result leaving them fifth in the table on 27 points.

Barnsley finished fourth in League One last season to make the playoffs, but they lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the final, keeping them in the third tier of English football for at least another campaign.

Neill Collins's side have only won two of their last five matches in all competitions on home soil, losing to Portsmouth and Blackpool over the last six weeks, but it will take a monumental effort from the visitors to advance to the second round of the competition.

Barnsley famously won the FA Cup in 1911-12, overcoming West Bromwich Albion following a replay, while they were runners-up in 1909-10, losing to Newcastle United, also after a replay.

Horsham have already played six times in this season's FA Cup, overcoming Leatherhead, Marlow, Hanworth Villa and then Dorking Wanderers to advance to the first round.

The Hornets have previously made the second round of the competition, advancing to that stage in 2007-08, and they will enter this contest off the back of three straight wins.

Dominic di Paola's side recorded a 2-1 victory over Larkhall Athletic in the first round of the FA Trophy last time out, while they have won their last two in the league against Carshalton Athletic and Kingstonian.

Horsham are currently seventh in the Isthmian League Premier Division, one point off the playoff positions, and they are bidding to improve on their best-ever spot, which came last season (seventh), missing out on the playoffs by just two points.

The Hornets held Swansea City, who were then a League One outfit, to a 1-1 draw in the second round of the FA Cup back in 2007-08, before losing the replay to the Welsh side, so they have previous when it comes to competing with teams in the third tier of English football.

Barnsley form (all competitions):

Horsham FA Cup form:

Horsham form (all competitions):

Team News

Barnsley are not back in League One action until next weekend, while their last fixture was on Saturday, so it would not be a surprise to see a strong side line up here.

There is likely to be a change between the sticks, with Kieren Flavell, who is only 20, set to start, but Devante Cole could again feature in the final third of the field.

Cole has been in strong form this season, scoring 11 goals and registering two assists in 15 League One appearances, with the 28-year-old thriving in the third tier.

There could be a change in a wide area, though, with Corey O'Keeffe, who scored off the bench late on against Fleetwood last time out, potentially coming into the XI.

As for Horsham, Daniel Ajakaiye and Shamir Fenelon were on the scoresheet against Dorking Wanderers in the previous round, and the pair should again both start here.

James Hammond is also expected to be given the nod in a forward area, while there will be a start for the experienced Sami El-Abd in a defensive position on Friday night.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Flavell; Williams, De Gevigney, McCart; O'Keeffe, Russell, Kane, Cadden; McAtee, Cole, Phillips

Horsham possible starting lineup:
Carey; El-Abd, Strange, Sparks, Harding; Ajakaiye, Myles-Meekums, Brivio, Hester-Cook; Hammond, Fenelon

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We say: Barnsley 2-0 Horsham

This is a free hit for Horsham, and they are certainly talented enough to make this an uncomfortable match for Barnsley. The hosts are one of the strongest sides in League One, though, and we are expecting them to advance to the next round of the competition without any major problems.

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Top tip

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