Hassocks sign off for the 2018-19 season with their final Premier Division fixture away at high-flying AFC Uckfield Town this coming Saturday
The Oakmen are enjoying arguably the finest season in their history. They embarked on a record-breaking run to the fourth round of the FA Vase leaving them as the Southern Combination League side who went the furthest in the national competition.
A point at the Oaks against the Robins would see them finish seventh in the table which would represent their highest ever placing and there is still the prospect of the Peter Bentley League Cup final to come as well when they take on Saltdean United here at the Beacon on May Bank Holiday Monday. Victory over the Tigers would give Uckfield their first piece of senior silverware.
It seems unlikely that it will be just a single point that the Oakmen get if the past 15 meetings are anything to by. There has never been a game that has finished level, with the Robins winning on eight occasions and Uckfield on seven.
The most recent of those Uckfield wins came at the Beacon back in December. It was fourth time lucky getting the game played as firstly the Oakmen’s Vase run, then Storm Diana and then a waterlogged pitch so the fixture postponed three times.
Hassocks will probably wish it had fallen for a fourth time. On a cold, dark January evening, the Robins were never really at the races and ended up being on the end of a 2-1 defeat as goals from Dee Okojie and Taylor Maddock either side of half time gave Anthony Storey’s side all three points. Phil Johnson notched a 94th minute consolation for the hosts.
The Robins will have fond memories of their last visit to the Oaks however. That came in September 2017 when Liam Benson scored twice along with Lewis Westlake and Spencer Slaughter to secure an excellent 4-1 victory.
In goal for Hassocks that day was Alex Harris and the Robins will come up against their former number one who made the move from the Beacon back to Uckfield a few months ago after being displaced as number one at the Beacon by Josh Green.
Harris has enjoyed four spells with Hassocks and is now in his second spell with the Oakmen so will be a familiar face to supporters of both sides. Mark Dalgleish can call upon two former Uckfield players of his own in Harry Mills and Andy Whittingham.
Kick off at the Oaks is at 3pm.
