For the third consecutive Saturday, Hassocks are at home as the Robins’ manic start to 2020 shows no sign of slowing.
The visit of Horsham YMCA will mark the fourth time in five weeks that Mark Dalgleish’s side have taken to the Beacon pitch. Having a block of home fixtures has had its benefits, with Hassocks winning two out of three so far – although they will know that YM pose a much tougher test – even if they do appear to be undergoing something of a transitional season.
Having been regular title challengers for a number of seasons now including when finishing as runners up last time out, YM saw a number of key players leave in the summer.
As a result, manager Peter Buckland had to rebuild his squad. That’s proven to be an ongoing process with YM initially giving plenty of young players an opportunity, followed by some smart recruitment which has seen some quality additions flock to Gorings Mead over recent months.
Unsurprisingly, all of that has taken some time to gel but after spending the first month or two of the season floating around the bottom half of the table, YM appear to have clicked and will arrive in Mid Sussex in 10th position for another instalment of a fixture with a rich history.
YM have been one of the Robins’ most frequent opponents over our 38 years as a Southern Combination League club. In that time, there have been 50 meetings across five different competitions.
Hassocks’ record isn’t exactly one to shout home about with just 13 wins to YM’s 26 and 11 draws. That will give the visitors further confidence that they can continue their climb up the table with three points from the Beacon.
Hassocks will at least be grateful that this game takes place in Mid Sussex- the Robins’ record at Gorings Mead is particularly ghastly with only two league victories there since 2000.
The last meeting took place at YM back in August, with Hassocks picking up a rare point as Ben Bacon marked his first goal back in Hassocks colours with an 86th minute equaliser.
Harvey Blake had put the visitors 1-0 ahead going into half time before second half goals from YM’s Dean Lovegrove and Martin Smith looked set to give the hosts all three points until Bacon’s late heroics in his first 90 minutes for three months.
Bacon has since left the Beacon and with Phil Johnson injured, Hassocks look rather light in the strikers department at the minute.
Johnson will be particularly disappointed to miss out today. He enjoyed a hugely successful spell with YM between 2015 and 2018 and is nearly as popular a figure with the Gorings Mead faithful as he is with the Hassocks support.
Kick off is at 3pm and entrance is priced at £6 adults, £3 concessions with Under 16s going free. The Robins Bar will be open for alcoholic refreshments and the T Bar will be serving hot food and drink throughout the afternoon. Our award winning matchday programme will also be available for £1.
