Ten days ago, nothing could separate Hassocks and Chipstead as they played out a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup Preliminary Qualifying Round. This Tuesday night, they’ll do it all again.
That result was undoubtedly a better one for the Robins than it was their hosts at High Road. Not since 2006 had Hassocks avoided defeat against a side from a higher level and so to take the Isthmian League Chips to a replay represents a significant achievement for Mark Dalgleish’s side.
With home advantage back at the Beacon, they’ll be hoping to complete the shock and set up another away tie, this time with Westfield in the first qualifying round this coming Saturday.
That won’t be easy though. It took an excellent rearguard showing and five quality saves from Josh Green for Hassocks to secure that stalemate in south London. A similar effort will be required again, combined with a little more luck in front of goal at the other end.
Since that last meeting, Chipstead have lost both their subsequent league games. They went down 2-1 at home against Tooting & Mitcham on Bank Holiday Monday before falling 3-2 at Chalfont St Peter on Saturday.
That has given them one days more rest than Hassocks, who were in action just 48 hours previously in the FA Vase. It was a good day for the Robins as they won 2-0 at Meridian Valley Park to advance to the next round in the other national cup competition.
If Chipstead’s visit to Mid Sussex is as eventful as the previous time these two met at the Beacon then those in attendance should be in for a treat.
That came in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup in 2013 and the bumper crowd in attendance saw three goals, a red card and a missed last minute penalty.
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 are still at the Beacon. Jacques meanwhile is the only player to remain at the club from last time Hassocks eliminated a side from a higher division in the competition, that aforementioned 2006 outing which ended in a 2-0 win over Newport Isle of Wight delivered via two Richard Thomas goals.
Kick off at the Beacon is at 7:45pm and the tie will be decided on the night via extra time and a penalty shoot out if necessary. Entrance is £6 adults and £3 concessions with Under 16s going free.
