Hassocks go looking for their first win in the FA Cup since 2013 when Erith Town visit the Beacon in the Extra Preliminary Round of the competition.
Not since eliminating Dorking Wanderers in a Preliminary Round replay five years ago have the Robins tasted victory in the worlds most famous cup competition.
They were eliminated by Epson and Ewell in the following season, did not enter in either 2015-16 or 2016-17 and then lost to Hollands and Blair at this stage of the competition last year.
Erith will provide stiff competition for Mark Dalgleish’s side. They finished some eight points clear in the South East Counties League Premier Division of the Robins FA Cup conquerors last season. They also reached the first qualifying round themselves before losing 3-0 to Burgess Hill Town.
The two sides have met on three previous occasions, all in the FA Cup. The most recent of those came again in the Extra Preliminary Round 13 years ago.
Anthony Hibbert and a Pat Harding brace secured a 3-0 away win as Dave John’s side started a run that only ended two games from the first round proper when Dulwich Hamlet eventually did for Hassocks in the second qualifying round.
The two other meetings came in the 2000-01 season in the Preliminary Round, with the Robins and the Dockers playing out a 2-2 draw at the Erith Sports Stadium before the Robins triumphed 3-1 in the replay back at the Beacon three days later.
While Hassocks have enjoyed a mixed start to their season with an encouraging 1-1 draw to Broadbridge Heath being followed by a heavy 6-0 defeat to Chichester City, Erith had plenty to celebrate on Monday night as they returned to the Sports Stadium after a five year absence.
They marked the occasion with a 1-1 draw against Glebe. Two days previously, Erith went down 4-2 in their season opener away at K Sports, who will provide Hassocks’ opponents in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase in September.
Kick off at the Beacon on Saturday is at 3pm and entry is priced at £6 adults and £3 concessions.
