After losing in the league for the first time last week, Hassocks Under 23s take a break from West Division action as they host Hailsham Town in the Sussex County FA Under 23 Cup on Thursday night.
The first round meeting is a repeat of the draw that paired the two in the second round of the same competition last season.
That clash took place at the Beaconsfield and saw the Robins run out easy 5-0 winners. Kieran Rowe scored twice for Nigel Pearce’s side along with Connor Bradley, Max Willcox and Matt Berridge as Hassocks progressed to the third round, where they were eliminated 3-0 by AFC Uckfield Town.
Last season was the first year in which a County Cup existed at Under 23 level. Despite currently being in different sections of the Southern Combination Under 23 league, the Robins and the Stringers have met before when Hassocks were controversially placed in the East Division in 2016-17.
Hassocks were successful in both clashes that season. Liam Benson, Jake Booth and Connor Bradley were on target in a 3-2 victory at the Beaconsfield while the return game was a much more comfortable one for the Robins as they ran out 2-0 winners through goals again from their strike duo of Benson and Booth.
While the Robins currently top the West Division, Hailsham are having a difficult time of it across in the East. They’ve won just one of their six games so far, a 3-1 success on the opening day against fellow strugglers Peacehaven & Telscombe.
The Stringers defence has appeared to be alarmingly leaky with 26 goals flying in including heavy 7-0 and 9-0 defeats against Rottingdean Village and Newhaven respectively.
That being said, Hassocks won’t be taking their opponents lightly having become the first side to lose to Selsey in their last outing at the Bunn Leisure Stadium last Friday night.
Pearce should be able to welcome back some of the players he was missing for that long trip West due to their involvement with the first team less than 24 hours later.
The tie takes place at the Beacon with a 7.45pm kick off. Entrance is £3 adults and everybody else goes free. The Robins Bar will be selling beer throughout the evening while the T Bar will have hot food and drinks.
