For the first time in six years, Hassocks will take part in the Preliminary Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup as Mark Dalgleish’s side make the journey to Isthmian League South Central side Chipstead.
A road trip to High Road Stadium was the reward for the Robins’ efforts in defeating Langney Wanderers 2-0 a fortnight ago. That was Hassocks’ first win in the competition since September 2013 and a 1-0 replay success over Dorking Wanderers, which set up a first qualifying round tie ironically with Chipstead.
The Chips ended Hassocks’ run that season, winning 2-1 at the Beacon in what is the only previous meeting between the two sides.
Scott Simpson gave Chipstead the lead with a fine solo goal but they ahead for less than 10 minutes before Jamie Hillwood levelled things up with a passing move which flowed from one end of the pitch to the other.
Dan Moody put the visitors 2-1 up from the penalty spot after an Ashley Marsh handball which sparked a manic final five minutes of the tie.
Substitute Mark Price saw red just 10 minutes after coming on when he tangled with a Chipstead midfielder before goalkeeper Jack Simpson went up for a last minute corner, drawing a brilliant fingertip save from his opposite number Anthony Hall with a bullet header.
The drama wasn’t done there either as Hassocks were awarded a penalty of their own in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Unfortunately for the Robins, Phil Gault saw his spot kick well saved by Hall down to his right with what proved to be the last touch of the game, denying Mickey Jewell’s men what would have been a deserved replay.
Hillwood, Phil Johnson and Dan Jacques are the survivors from that day who could be involved again against Chipstead. Jacques meanwhile is the only player to still be at the club from last time Hassocks eliminated a side from a higher division in the competition, a 2-0 win over Newport Isle of Wight in 2006 delivered via two Richard Thomas goals.
That the Robins’ last victory against a Isthmian League club came some 13 years ago says much about the scale of the task facing Hassocks in Surrey.
Chipstead have started this season reasonably well with one win and one defeat from their two league games so far. They defeated Bracknell Town 2-0 in their opening fixture a week ago before losing by the same scoreline in midweek away at Westfields. 2018-19 saw the Chips finish 13th in the table.
Kick off is at 3pm. Directions for getting to High Road can be found on Chipstead’s website.
