Hassocks Under 18s will kick off their 2019-20 season with a Mid Sussex derby against St Francis Rangers on Sunday 8th September.
That will be just a taste of what is to come as for the first time in several years, all four of Mid Sussex’s Isthmian League and Southern Combination League clubs have entered sides into a slimmed down Under 18 Central Division which consists of only eight teams.
Reigning champions Haywards Heath Town will be looking to defend their title while Burgess Hill Town are also back in the division following a two-year absence.
The Hillians will provide the opposition for Hassocks’ second away game on Sunday September 22nd with the Robins’ first home fixture of the campaign sandwiched in-between those two derbies when Shoreham come to the Beacon on September 15th
Broadbridge Heath will then provide the opposition for the final game of the opening month as they visit Mid Sussex on September 29th.
The Robins’ first league game of October will be at home to Mile Oak on Sunday 13th and on Sunday 20th it’s a trip to Old Barn Way to face Southwick. The third Mid Sussex Derby of the season rounds off the month as Haywards Heath come to the Beacon on Sunday 27th.
Two games are scheduled for November with Hassocks making the short trip to Mile Oak on the third before hosting St Francis on the 17th.
There are currently no matches pencilled in for December although this will no doubt change once postponements and cup games start altering the fixture list.
Brad Sweetman’s side will start 2020 on Sunday 5th January at home to Burgess Hill and a packed fixture list follows for the remainder of the month.
The Robins’ first visit to Broadbridge Heath’s new High Wood Hill ground follows on January 12th with Southwick visiting the Beacon on the 19th and a trip to Shoreham coming on the 26th.
Hassocks’ final away game of the season will take place at Hanbury Park on February 2nd with the season set to finish at home to Mile Oak on February 16th.
Of course, it would have to take a winter of unparalleled good weather for that to happen but with only eight teams in the division this season, the fixture pile up that we’ve experienced in April during the last two seasons should be avoided.
Hassocks had an excellent campaign last time out in Sweetman’s first season in charge, finishing fourth in the table but securing the runners up spot thanks to a playoff win over Upper Beeding.
With Beeding and second placed finishers Steyning Town no longer in the division, the Robins will be hoping to make another strong impression this year.
You can find the full Under 18s fixture list as it currently stands by clicking here.
