The Beacon plays host to a double header this Sunday with the pick of the action being Hassocks Ladies taking on Saltdean United in the semi finals of the South East Counties Women’s League Cup.
The Robins are the defending champions but they’ll have their work cut out against a Tigers side who are second in the division above.
Hassocks lifted the trophy despite their relegation from the Premier Division last season with their place in the top flight being taken by Saltdean. United have had no issues adjusting to their first season at the higher level, having won 10 of their 15 league games.
Leaders Crawley Wasps have already sewn up the title with their place as the best side in the league confirmed by a 2-1 win over the Tigers last week. That leaves Saltdean with just this competition to aim at in order to add silverware to the Hill Park trophy cabinet, making them particularly dangerous opponents for the Robins to face.
Hassocks meanwhile are enjoying a spectacular season having won every game they’ve played since an FA Cup defeat to Islington Borough back in September. They are not strangers to surprising teams from higher divisions either having delivered their best performance of the season when hammering Premier side Worthing 7-2 in the quarter finals.
Kick off is at 1.30pm and entrance to the game is free. The winners will face either Burgess Hill Town or Ashford in the final.
Before the Ladies take to the field, the Under 18s will host Lancing in Southern Combination League Under 18 Central Division action.
Hassocks will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing showing in their last outing when they were well beaten by Steyning Town who delivered a crushing 6-0 defeat on the Robins.
That came two weeks ago and moved the Barrowmen up into second spot in the table, three points ahead of Brad Sweetman’s side. Hassocks do have three games in hand however, which means they are still in the battle to finish as runners up to champions-elect Haywards Heath Town.
Three points against the Lancers would go a long way towards helping the Robins achieve that aim. They’ve already beaten their opponents this season, way back on the second weekend of the campaign although they were made to work very hard for the victory.
A hat-trick from Tristan Hayes and goals from Alex Moulvogny and Jack Baden had given Hassocks a 5-1 lead entering the final 20 minutes but the hosts nearly completed a remarkable comeback at Culver Road, scoring three times late on with the game eventually finishing 5-4.
Entrance for that one is also free and the Beacon’s T Bar will be open throughout the day.
