The Macron Store Southern Combination League season gets underway this Saturday with Hassocks hosting Broadbridge Heath at the Beacon.
And its the start of a new era for the Robins as Mark Dalgleish takes sole charge of the side for the first time.
After only escaping relegation to Division One because only one team came down from the Bostik League – Shoreham – while two went up – Haywards Heath Town and Three Bridges – Hassocks know improvement is needed in 2018-19 after recording their lowest finish for 23 years last time out.
Plenty of work has taken place on the transfer front as a result, the headline news being the return to the Beacon of strikers Phil Johnson and Liam Benson.
The Bears meanwhile face an equally important campaign. Manager Steve Painter has done a remarkable job, turning them from a side who went finished in the bottom two of Division Two in 2010 – only avoiding relegation into park football due to no suitable candidates applying for promotion – to a Premier Division club by 2014. Since then, they’ve secured three top 10 finishes in the past four seasons.
Off the pitch, Heath will move into their new home at High Wood Sports Ground later in the season after a long but ultimately worthwhile battle which should allow the club to grow further.
High Wood will be up and running by the time Hassocks are due to travel west for the return game in November. That means that Hassocks’ visit to Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre in April was their last appearance at Heath’s current home.
It wasn’t a good afternoon for the Robins. Goals from Gicu Iordache and Devon Fender gave Heath a 2-0 win, which was the result that all but condemned Hassocks to their bottom three finish.
The Bears last visit to the Beacon holds better memories for the Robins, with Hassocks running out 3-2 winners in October last year. James Westlake, Bradley Bant and Charlie Pitcher were all on target for the hosts with Darren Helsdown and Zac Massey replying for the Bears. Remarkably, the Robins would go onto win only once more at home all season.
The sides have three wins apiece with two draws in their eight Premier Division meetings to date. Hassocks do edge the overall head-to-head however, largely thanks to their superior cup record against Heath, having won nine of the total 20 meetings with seven defeats and four draws.
Kick off is at 3pm and entrance is priced at £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free.
