Hassocks Under 23s return to Southern Combination League West Division action for the first time in three weeks this Thursday with Broadbridge Heath the visitors to the Beacon.
Nigel Pearce’s side having played in the league since their excellent 2-1 win away at reigning champions Pagham back on Valentines Day. They were without a fixture a week after that victory at Nyetimber Lane and last week saw them advance to the semi finals of the League Cup via a 5-2 win over Midhurst & Easebourne.
That lack of action has seen Horsham YMCA draw level with the Robins at the top of the table in what continues to be a thrilling title race. Hassocks do have a game in hand, but it looks as though the destination of the championship will go right down to the wire.
Heath meanwhile are having a decent campaign in their first season running an Under 23 side. The Bears sit eighth in the table having won five, drawn two and lost four games. Among those victories are the notable scalps of Pagham and current third place side Lancing.
The two teams last met back in January when Hassocks ran out 3-1 winners at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre. With the Bears set to move to their new High Wood Hill Sports Ground soon, the Leisure Centre pitch has been left to fall into something of state of disrepair which made playing football difficult.
Still, Hassocks got the job done thanks to goals from James Littlejohn, Harvey Enticknap and substitute George Galbraith-Gibbons. Dane Riecker was on target for the Bears.
Heath last visited the Beacon at this level of football in the 2015-16 season. Hassocks were members of the fledgling Under 21 league while the Bears were still running a side in the Reserve Premier when they were paired together in the Sussex Intermediate Cup first round.
Heath’s experience eventually won them the day as they triumphed 4-3 at the Beacon. Josh Newman scored twice for the Robins alongside Littlejohn.
Kick off at the Beacon is at 7.45pm and entrance is £3 adults with everybody else going free. Both the Robins Bar and T Bar will be open serving beer and hot food and drink.
