After a month of lockdown, grassroots football is back in both the Southern Combination League and the London & South East Regional Women’s League. It is shaping up to be a busy time for Hassocks with plenty of festive action to take in at the Beacon and on the road.
The Ann John Memorial Trophy kicks things off for the first team on Saturday 5th December. Jay Lovett brings his Burgess Hill Town side on the short journey to Hassocks with all money raised on the day going to St Peter & St James Hospice. Kick off is at 1pm and entrance is by a pay-what-you-can-afford donation.
Hassocks resume their Premier Division campaign on Tuesday 8th December when Broadbridge Heath visit the Beacon for a 7.30pm start. The Robins will be looking to avenge the defeat they suffered at the High Wood Hill Sports Ground in October when Jamie Taylor’s stunning 40 yard strike in the 92nd minute decided the tie 1-0 in the hosts’ favour.
On Saturday 12th December, it is a trip to the sunshine coast to face Eastbourne United at The Oval, a venue which has been a happy hunting ground for Hassocks in recent years.
Prior to last season’s 4-1 defeat there, the Robins had won their previous six visits stretching back to 2010 – an extraordinary run made more remarkable when you consider the fact that despite that hoodoo over United, Hassocks only went onto finish above them in the Premier Division table on two occasions.
United have endured a difficult start to the 2020-21 season with only three wins on the board to sit 16th in the table. They have also undergone an early managerial change following Matt Crabb’s resignation with his assistant Ray Collier take over the reigns just prior to November’s lockdown.
A week later and Alfold are the visitors to Hassocks in a fixture rearranged from Halloween weekend. Heavy rain on the morning of the game rendered the Beacon pitch unplayable, a postponement which came at a bad time given the form the Robins were in before the season was suspended for a month.
It will be the second meeting of the campaign between the teams. The opening day fixture at the Recreation Ground saw the hosts run out 3-1 winners on an afternoon when nothing went right for the Robins.
A goalkeeping crisis forced Phil Wickwar to start in goal but he lasted only an hour before injury struck with defender Dan Turner taking over. So much upheaval proved too much to overcome although Hassocks did look lively at times and perhaps should have done more with the chances which came their way. Charlie Pitcher was the only man to make an opportunity stick with an excellent headed goal.
The Southern Combination League fixture gods were obviously smiling on Hassocks when the Boxing Day matches were decided as the Robins have been given the glamour of a festive trip to Saltdean United’s Hill Park.
The Tigers are enjoying an outstanding 2020-21 and currently sit at the top of the Premier Division with eight wins, two draws and one defeat from their 11 fixtures so far. Kick off is at 11am in what looks like being one of the toughest assignments of the season.
Two days later and Hassocks have their final outing of 2020 when East Preston visit the Beacon on Monday 28th December with another 11am start for some Bank Holiday football.
The Robins last faced EP in October in a ridiculously entertaining clash at the Lashmar. A George Brown brace and goals from Harvey Enticknap and Pitcher gave the visitors a 4-0 lead going into half time.
Never has the phrase “a game of two halves” been so apt as EP launched a remarkable comeback as an own goal and a Conor Bull double made it 4-3 at the final whistle with the Robins just about clinging on for the three points. If the return match is anywhere near as enthralling, then it is one that is not to be missed.
The Under 23s face two tough fixtures in December as they take on the reigning North Division champions followed by the current league leaders. Horsham YMCA are the visitors to the Beacon on Thursday 10th December for a 7.30pm kick. YM won the title in the completed 2018-19 season and were leading the way when the 2019-20 campaign was declared null and void.
Unsurprisingly, Hassocks lost both meetings with YM at Under 23 level last season, going down 2-1 at both the Beacon and Gorings Mead. There was however something of an upset in the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup when the Robins eliminated YM in extra time with a 4-3 away success delivered by braces from Dan Turner and Kieran Dimelow.
A week after hosting YM, the Under 23s go to current leaders Alfold on Thursday 17th December. Kick off is at 7.45pm against opponents who have three wins, two draws and one defeat at the top of the table in what is their debut campaign at Under 23 level.
The Under 18s return to action on Sunday 6th December when Broadbridge Heath visit the Beacon at 11am with entrance free for all supporters. Hassocks will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the campaign against a Bears outfit who have given the Robins more than a few headaches in the past.
Brad Sweetman then takes his side to Crawley Down Gatwick for their final game of 2020 on Sunday 13th December. That one gets underway at 11am with Hassocks looking to repeat their 6-0 win over the Anvils from earlier in the season.
The Ladies have two fixtures left to round off their year, starting on Sunday 13th December at the Beacon against Herne Bay. Kick off is at 2pm and entrance is free for anybody looking for a football fix. That is followed by a trip to Parkwood Rangers on Sunday 20th December with another 2pm start.
