Hassocks Under 23s play their final game of the 2018-19 season as their Southern Combination Under 23 League Cup semi final conquerors East Preston visit the Beacon.
The fixture comes a month after EP triumphed in the two side’s last four meeting at Middle Road. Cian Griffin-Tilley’s second half double proved to be the difference as EP ran out 3-1 winners with Jack Collins their other scorer.
James Littlejohn netted the Robins’ consolation but it wasn’t enough to stop EP advancing to the final where they were well beaten by a dominant AFC Uckfield Town side.
The previous league meeting between these two sides came at the Lashmar in December. That was a much happier occasion for Hassocks as they secured an important three points via a 3-1 win.
Matt Berridge scored twice for Nigel Pearce’s side that evening along with Max Willcox, whose strike with virtually the last kick of the first half canceled out Daniel Huet’s early opener for the hosts.
Prior to that, the sides met twice in the 2017-18 season. There was a 1-1 draw at the Lashmar in April 2018, a result that proved a severe blow to Hassocks’ title chances.
Connor Bradley scored on that day but the dropped points coming a week after a 3-3 draw at home to Worthing United and a 2-1 defeat at home to Horsham YMCA a fortnight previously made it all but impossible for the Robins to overhaul eventual champions Pagham. Willcox had netted a brace in a 2-0 Hassocks win at the Beacon the previous September.
There is little riding on the fixture this time from a Hassocks point of view. Thursday night’s 1-1 draw with Arundel guaranteed the Robins second place in the table for the second consecutive season. EP meanwhile are still in the hunt for third and so arguably have more to play for.
Kick off at the Beacon is at 7.45pm and entrance is £3 adults with everybody else going free. All the normal beer and food facilities will be open throughout the evening.
