Hassocks Under 23s have the opportunity to advance to the final of the Southern Combination League Under 23 Cup for the first time when they take on West Division rivals East Preston at Middle Road on Thursday night.
Before this season, the Robins had never won a game in the competition. Since the advent of the Under 21 section in 2015, Hassocks had crashed out at the earliest possible stage to Shoreham in the first two editions and then against AFC Uckfield Town last season.
They broke their duck with an excellent 6-0 win over Pecehaven & Telscombe in the second round back in November and followed that up with 5-2 home victory over Midhurst & Easebourne last month to book their spot in the last four.
EP meanwhile advanced to this stage of the competition with a 3-0 win over Selsey thanks an own goal and a brace from Jack Collins. They were awarded a walkover win the second round after Little Common failed to raise a side for their trip to the Lashmar.
Both Hassocks and EP are enjoying good seasons in the West Division. The Robins top the table with 39 points from 16 games with EP back in third having collected 29 points which currently leaves them on course to finish as the best of the rest behind Nigel Pearce’s side and their rivals in the title battle, Horsham YMCA.
The two have faced each other once in the league so far. Both named a couple of first team players in their line ups on that night at the Lashmar just prior to Christmas and it was one of those who opened the scoring, Dan Huet netting with only seven minutes played.
It looked like it would remain 1-0 to the hosts going into the break until Max Willcox equalised with virtually the last kick of the half to send the sides in level.
Hassocks hoped that would prove to be somewhat of a psychological blow to EP and so it proved as one of the Robins’ first team contingent came to the fore, Matt Berridge scoring twice from midfield to secure a 3-1 victory for the visitors.
Kick off on Thursday night is at the slightly earlier time of 7.30pm down at Shoreham. The winners will face AFC Uckfield Town in the final who were comprehensive 4-0 victors over Newhaven at the Saffrons last week.
