Hassocks return to Southern Combination League Premier Division action on Saturday with a trip to a Broadbridge Heath side who will come into the game off the back of their best result of the season so far.
Whilst Hassocks were fielding a weakened team in their Sussex Senior Cup exit at the hands of Division One Midhurst & Easebourne, the Bears were busy winning 4-1 against early Premier Division leaders AFC Uckfield Town.
The Oakmen may have taken a similar approach to Hassocks in terms of resting players, but even so it was an astonishing way for Heath to get their second win of the campaign under their belts – as well as serving as a reminder that the Robins are in for a tough afternoon at High Wood Hill Sports Ground.
Broadbridge Heath this season
Heath endured a difficult start to the season as they were one of the first Southern Combination League sides to be struck down by coronavirus. The Bears went about the issue in the right way, forfeiting their FA Cup tie with Haywards Heath Town and sitting out matches for two weeks.
The disruption clearly had an impact and up until last weekend, they were winless in the league. That changed in stunning style thanks to a 4-1 success over East Preston and Heath followed that up with their excellent midweek victory against AFC Uckfield. Their season now appears to be up and running.
Hassocks’ record against Broadbridge Heath
There have been 23 previous meetings between the two clubs with the head-to-head even with nine wins apiece. Those good at maths will have worked out that means there have been five draws.
Heath are one of the only clubs in the Southern Combination League that the Robins have faced in all three divisions over the past 35 years, although it is only since the Bears won promotion to the top flight in 2014 that this has become a regular fixture.
Last time Hassocks met Broadbridge Heath
The premature end to the 2019-20 season meant that Hassocks and Heath never had the opportunity to meet at the Beacon last time out. You therefore have to go back over a year to September 2019 to find the last fixture.
It was Hassocks’ first ever visit to High Wood Hill. Heath were riding on the crest of a wave at the time with huge crowds flocking to tick off the new ground and their early season momentum even had them touted as dark horses for a crack at the title.
The Robins were not able to dent those hopes, going down to a 2-1 defeat on a Tuesday night under the lights. Heath’s goals came from Max Howell and Jamie Taylor with Ben Bacon scoring the Hassocks consolation.
How to get to High Wood Hill Sports Ground
The trip to Broadbridge Heath is one of the more straightforward journeys that Hassocks will make this season.
Take the A272 to the A24, heading towards Horsham. Leave the A24 at the junction with the A264 before taking the first right onto Old Wickhurst Lane. Take the next right onto Cook Way and High Wood Hill is on the fourth right after that.
