Table topping Hassocks Under 23s are on the road this Thursday as the Robins make the short trip over the South Downs to take on Mile Oak.
The game had originally been scheduled to take place at the Beacon, but has had to be reversed due to unforeseen circumstances. As a result, it will now take place at Mile Oak Rec with a 7.30pm kick off.
The Robins will go into it unbeaten and flying high after defeating reigning champions Pagham 2-0 last week. That gave Nigel Pearce’s side 10 points out of a possible 12 to start their campaign with their only dropped points coming on the opening day when they drew 1-1 at Lancing.
Hassocks have made hard work of their away games so far. That draw at Culver Road was followed by a narrow victory at Southwick three weeks ago in which the Robins were grateful for two goals in the final eight minutes from James Littlejohn to earn a 2-1 win at Old Barn Way.
Mile Oak have endured a difficult start to the season. They kicked off the campaign with a local derby defeat against Southwick before being on the end of two hammerings, going down 10-0 at home to Lancing in a game they finished with 10 men after the dismissal of Louis Denyer and then losing 4-1 at Pagham.
Oak registered their first point in their last outing, drawing 2-2 at home to Arundel. That was a particularly impressive result given that the Mullets fielded several first team players including Dion Jarvis who notched both their goals.
Oak proved stubborn opponents for Hassocks last season. A Matt Berridge goal was all that separated them when the sides last met at the Rec and Oak left the Beacon with a hard-earned point following a 1-1 draw. Berridge was again the man on target on that occasion.
Those are the only two meetings to date between Hassocks and Mile Oak at this level of football and if they are anything to by, then the Robins are going to need to be at their best in order to maintain their place at the top of the table.
