Hassocks will take on Langney Wanderers for the first time ever in a competitive fixture at senior level when they make the trip to Priory Lane to face the Premier Division newcomers.
This is Wanderers first ever season in the top flight of the Southern Combination League. A runners up position in Division One last time out along with a move to groundshare at Eastbourne Borough’s Priory Lane home allowed Wanderers the opportunity to take their place in the Premier Division.
They’ve won just once in the league so far this season, defeating Loxwood 3-2 at Plaistow Road last week to register their first success through goals from Billy Pout, Paul Rogers and Wayne Wilkinson. Former Hassocks midfielder Lewis Westlake netted his first goal for the Magpies in the same game.
Wanderers may not have many numbers in the win column, but they’ve proven to be extremely stubborn opponents who are difficult to beat. They’ve registered four draws from seven games including a highly credible 2-2 with title chasing Saltdean United on the opening day.
Their form at Priory Lane has also been impressive. Langney had only lost once at home all season and that was tto an injury time penalty, Lee Robinson converting in the 94th minute when Newhaven left Eastbourne with a 2-1 victory.
The opponents may be view for Hassocks, but the venue isn’t it. Hassocks were regular visitors to Priory Lane through the late 1990’s before Eastbourne Borough’s rise through the non-league pyramid.
Our last visit there came in the Sussex Senior Cup in January 2013, going down 2-0 to a brace from Grenada international Elliott Charles as Mickey Jewell’s side gave their full-strength Blue Square South opponents a real game.
Although Hassocks and Langney have never met in a competitive game before, they aren’t completely new to each other.
The two sides did meet in a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2016 at Wanderers’ former home of Shinewater Lane with Hassocks running out 2-1 winners through goals from Josh Hawkes and Ben Bacon.
Kick off is at 3pm at Priory Lane and admission is priced at £6 adults, £4 concessions and £1 for kids.
