Dom di Paola will have woken up in Yorkshire this morning and felt glad to get his mind only on the football.

The Horsham manager aims to plot what he accepts would be a huge shock when his side visit Barnsley in the first round of the FA Cup tonight.

The Isthmian League premier outfit, with a strong Albion connection, are disappointed their trip to Oakwell has been moved to a Friday night on police advice.

It has complicated logistics for the players, who have day jobs, and will reduce the away support, which had been envisaged in four figures, down to maybe 500.

But the challenge is still a good one now all the logistics are out of the way.

Horsham trained on Wednesday and travelled north after work last night.

Di Paola said: “I’ll be pleased when we can just think about football.

“We have got plenty of stuff about Barnsley, a lot of intel, but as to how much it will make a difference against that sort of side, I don’t know.

“We have a set process of how we prepare and it hasn’t changed.”

Horsham have had occasional great occasions in the FA Cup.

It is now 16 years since they enjoyed a memorable 1-1 draw with Swansea City in a Queen Street mudbath before twice leading in the replay at the Liberty Stadium.

Barnsley will feel more comfortable than the Swans were on that Friday night but Di Paola knows what he wants from his players.

The club have progressed and increased their support since moving to the edge-of-town Camping World Community Stadium and this can be another positive step for them.

He said: “It sounds like I’m down-playing it but we are up against a team who are fifth in League One.

“We love it and we are really happy with the draw.

“But it’s not one of those where you think they are struggling or the supporters are on their back.

“There is nothing to suggest it’s going to be an upset.

“For us, it is about enjoying it, doing ourselves justice, making sure the town is proud and it will be just another good thing we have done at Horsham.”

Former Albion youngsters in the Horsham squad include Charlie Harris, Sami El-Abd. Danny Barker and Reece Meekums.

Shamir Fenelon, who started the 2014-15 season in attack for Sami Hyypia’s Seagulls, is in attack for the Hornets.

Di Paola said: “Sham is good. A very good lad as well around the group.

“We’ve got a lot of Brighton connections.

“A lot of Sussex boys who are half-decent will come through that pathway.”