Hassocks Under 23s play their final game of 2018 on Thursday night and it’s a big one for the Robins as they travel to third placed East Preston.
Just one points separates Nigel Pearce’s side in second with their hosts in third, although Hassocks do have a game in hand on both EP and current leaders Horsham YMCA.
East Preston have snuck into title contention under the radar somewhat over the last few weeks. As recently as a month ago, it looked to be a three way battle between YM, the Robins and Lancing for the Southern Combination League West Division crown.
EP have since blown the race wide open, their 5-2 defeat of the Lancers in November coming as part of a run of five victories from their last six league games.
That form, coupled with both YM and Hassocks dropping points as they drew 1-1 at the Beacon last Thursday has, left them just four points off the summit with a game on hand on the leaders as well.
This will be the first meeting this season between the two sides. The last time they faced off came in April when a 1-1 draw at the Lashmar in what was the Robins third-last game of the season proved a severe blow to Hassocks’ title chances.
Connor Bradley scored on that day but the dropped points coming a week after a 3-3 draw at home to Worthing United and a 2-1 defeat at home to YMCA a fortnight previously made it all but impossible for the Robins to overhaul eventual champions Pagham.
Hassocks will have fonder memories of the first league fixture between the two last season when a Max Willcox double secured a 2-0 win in September.
Kick off at the Lashmar is at 7.30pm.
