Eastbourne United may currently sit bottom of the Southern Combination League Premier Division, but given the form they’ve been in since Arron Hopkinson’s appointment as manager they surely won’t be there for long.
It’s been a difficult campaign for United so far. Manager Tobi Hutchinson resigned on the eve of the season with player Ryan Cooper stepping into the breach. His chances of success were hamstrung by a lack of players, with Cooper even having to play himself in goal on occasion as United sunk to the bottom of the table without a win in their first 16 league games.
By that point, Cooper had stepped down with his assistant Hopkinson assuming control. Hopkinson was able to bring on former Hastings United boss Jason Hopkinson as his number two and the duo have secured a glut of impressive signings, including Sam Schaff from Horsham YMCA and former Brighton and Hove Albion youngster Chris Christopher Cumming-Bart.
Results have picked up markedly and from being cast adrift at the bottom of the table, United are now within five points of fourth-bottom Little Common and with safety well within their sights.
Their recent successes include three points away at title challenging Saltdean United on Tuesday night and a success over high-flying Lingfield. They’ve also picked up draws with Broadbridge Heath and Pagham and were only denied what would have been a hugely impressive point against Newhaven by Lee Robinson’s 93rd minute winner for the Dockers.
All that points to a tough test for Hassocks on Saturday, but the Robins will have reasons of their own to be confident going to the Sunshine Coast given that they’ve lost just once in their past six games and have a remarkable recent record at the Oval.
Hassocks have won on their past five visits there to face United although they did suffer defeat at the Oval back in October, going down 4-2 to United’s tenants Little Common.
That recent run of successes explains why the Robins dominate the head-to-head with 18 wins to United’s 10. The remaining 12 games have finished level.
Hassocks are normally good for a goal or two against United as well having racked up 82 against them so far, helped hugely by a 7-1 win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round in 2010 which remains the Robins’ second biggest victory of the last decade.
The teams last met in September at the Beacon when it was a routine victory for the Hassocks as they ran out 3-0 winners. Matt Berridge notched his first senior goal for the club along with strikes from Liam Benson and Spencer Slaughter.
United are a very different prospect now to the side that made the trip to Mid Sussex on that sunny Saturday afternoon and a difficult task lies in wait for Mark Dalgleish’s side.
Kick off at the Oval is at 3pm.
