There is an instant chance for Hassocks to bounce back from Saturday’s 8-0 home defeat against Horley Town with a trip to Horsham YMCA on Tuesday night.
Last time the Robins were beaten so heavily, it was back in January when Eastbourne Town won 7-0 at the Beacon. In typical Hassocks style, they then went and won their next fixture 2-1 against Steyning Town.
Fingers will be firmly crossed for a similarly swift and impressive response on this occasion against a new look, younger YM side who have a new manager at the helm for 2020-21.
Horsham YMCA this season
Long-serving manager Peter Buckland stepped down in the summer and this looks like being something of a transitional season for Horsham YMCA as a result.
Buckland’s assistant Julian Miller has stepped into his sizable shoes with YM having won once in eight Premier Division matches so far to sit second bottom in the table.
Their young squad have shown glimpses of what they are capable of, most notably when defeating one of the title favourites Eastbourne Town back in September.
Two factors will probably give YM confidence that Hassocks will be the second side they knock off in the league this season. The first, that weekend hammering suffered by the Robins at the hands of Horley. The second, Hassocks’ abysmal record at Gorings Mead…
Hassocks’ record against Horsham YMCA
Hassocks have rarely enjoyed games with YM, especially those which take place at Gorings Mead, where the Robins have won just twice in the league since 2000.
The last time a Hassocks side tasted victory at YM came in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup in 2013 when Mickey Jewell led the Robins to a 3-2 victory.
Hassocks’ overall record against YM reads a pretty dreadful 12 victories from 51 meetings. YM have won on 26 occasions with 13 draws, although the Robins did go unbeaten against their bogey side last season with a 2-2 draw at Gorings Mead followed by a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Beacon.
Last time Hassocks met Horsham YMCA
It took place in early February and was the final first team game that the Beacon hosted before March’s lockdown. Hassocks certainly bowed out in style, saying goodbye for seven months with a dramatic 3-2 win.
The Robins had become the first team that Loxwood had beaten in the 2019-20 season three days earlier when losing 3-0 at Plaistow Road and that wretched result initially seemed to impact on the players as YM sauntered into a 2-0 lead inside of seven minutes through a Sam Lemon brace.
Hassocks overcame that sour start to the game with a stunning second half performance. James Westlake pulled one back on 55 minutes, Phil Johnson equalised on 85 and George Galbraith-Gibbons snatched a winner two minutes into injury time.
How to get to Gorings Mead
The ground is situated on the outskirts of the Horsham town centre. Take the A272 to Cowfold before joining the A281 towards Horsham. Once in the town, Gorings Mead is located on the left before the railway bridge as directed by the “YMCA” sign.
There is extremely limited parking at the ground and when that is full, there is no parking in the street leading to the ground. Visitors are advised to park in one of the many car parks that are a five-minute walk away.
Important information for Horsham YMCA v Hassocks
Advanced tickets can be bought for Horsham YMCA v Hassocks through the YM website, priced at £7 for adults. Once you have purchased your ticket, you simply show the PayPal receipt for your purchase on the gate to gain entrance.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
