Hassocks will not kick another ball until at least Saturday January 9th after the Southern Combination Football League suspended fixtures until the new year following the government’s decision to move London and parts of the south east to tier 4 restrictions.
The league took the decision at a committee meeting on Tuesday night. Although most of Sussex remains in tier 2, several clubs in the league are based in Hastings & Rother and the border with Surrey, where tier 4 is now in place.
Furthermore, clubs on the boundaries have players who would have to travel from tier 4 areas into tier 2 to play matches. It was therefore decided that continuing to play in such circumstances was not in the best interests of players, clubs or officials.
All matches scheduled for Boxing Day, Monday 28th December and Saturday 2nd January have therefore been postponed. Football could resume a week later on January 9th, but for it do so would involve a serious reduction in coronavirus infection rates.
With a new strain of the disease which is 70% more transmissible, it seems unlikely that will happen anytime soon. The government is expected to make another announcement on December 30th with the Southern Combination League meeting on New Year’s Eve to decide what action to take in reaction.
You can read the full statement from Southern Combination League chairman Steve Nealgrove on the Mid Sussex Times’ website.
The Under 23s and Under 18s have no fixtures impacted by the announcement as they were already on their Christmas break. Three first team games have been lost as a result of the suspension; the tip to Premier Division leaders Saltdean United on Boxing Day, East Preston’s visit to the Beacon 48 hours later and Lancing away on January 2nd.
Seeing as the Robins will not take to the field again in 2020, everyone at the Beacon would like to thank supporters for their support in what has been a truly testing year. We hope to be able to welcome you back through the turnstiles in 2021.
Stay safe and have a very merry Christmas.
