You wait years to play Horley Town, and then two meetings come along in the space of five weeks. The newest members of the Southern Combination League are the visitors to the Beacon to take on Hassocks in the second qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Vase with a place in the first round proper up for grabs.
Nobody really knew how Horley would take to life in the SCFL following their sideways move in the summer. The Combined Counties League is generally considered to be stronger than its Sussex based counterpart based on national cup results between the two leagues, and so a 10th placed finish there last season pointed to the fact that Anthony Jupp’s men could make an impression in their new surroundings.
They’re certainly doing that so far, having lost just once in six Premier Division fixtures, which leaves them sitting seventh in the early season table.
They also reached the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, one of only five Southern Combination sides to do so which gives them a game in hand on most of the teams above them. Win that and they could climb up to third and the cusp of the title race. All of which points to a tough game ahead for Hassocks.
Those who travelled to the New Defence for the opening game of the season will already know that though, some poor defensive errors from the Robins coupled with clinical finishing from a well-organised Town ensuring it was a 2-0 win for the hosts.
That maintained their 100% record against the Robins – although in fairness, there have only been two senior meetings so far!
The other came in this competition back in September 2016, Horley running out 4-2 winners at home in a game in which they sauntered into a 3-0 lead inside of 30 minutes. Hassocks will be hoping for better for what will be Horley’s first visit to the Beacon for a competitive fixture.
There have been a couple of pre-season friendlies with the Clarets having visited the Beacon in July 2012 and the Robins going to Horley prior to the 2009-10 campaign.
There are also a few players who have played for both sides down the years. Hassocks Reserve and Third Team legend Steve Spies played for Horley before he moved to the Beacon while defender Lee Bryant joined the Robins from the New Defence in 2012, going onto play 44 times over a season-and-a-half for Hassocks.
If the Robins are to progress, then they’ll need to stop Town’s dangerous front pairing of Kerran Boylan and Tony Halsey. Boylan already has six goals to his name and anyone who managed to catch the highlights of their 2-2 draw with Loxwood on Tuesday night would have been impressed with the finish he delivered at Plaistow Road.
Kick off is at 3pm and entrance is priced at £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. Both the Robins Bar and T Bar will be serving alcohol and hot food and drink and our award winning matchday programme will be on sale for the bargain price of £1.
For those travelling to the Beacon from the north, please be aware that Stone Pound Crossroads currently has four way temporary traffic lights in place which is causing severe delays.
