The Beacon hosts it’s final game of the 2018-19 season on Thursday 9th May as Hassocks Under 18s take on Upper Beeding in a play off to decide second place in the Southern Combination League Under 18 Central Division.
This unusual scenario has come about due to the league decreeing that positions can’t be decided by goal difference. With Steyning Town, Upper Beeding and the Robins all finishing on 31 points, that meant that a play off situation was required to decide who receives the runners up medals.
It was originally planned that this would take on a round-robin format until Steyning unfortunately had to pull out as they were unable to guarantee being able to field a side for two additional games at such late notice, leaving Hassocks and Beeding to face off for second.
Beeding finished the campaign in third spot having won nine, drawn four and lost three of their 16 league games. Their goal difference of plus 30 left them five goals better off than Hassocks in fourth whose record read won 10, drew one and lost five.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Beeding’s Memorial Playing Fields in the middle of January. Tristan Hayes got the Hassocks goal that day and he notched a brace in the September meeting at the Beacon as the Robins were 4-0 winners. Yahya Azizi scored the other two goals as Hassocks made if three wins from three to start the campaign as they looked to hold onto the coattails of early leaders – and eventual champions – Haywards Heath Town.
Kick off is at 7.45pm and entrance to the Beacon is free. Runners up spot would complete an excellent season for Brad Sweetman’s young side and ensure that the Under 18s join the Under 23s and Ladies in finishing in the top two in their respective leagues, so any support would be greatly appreciated.
