There will be a change to Hassocks’ announced pre-season friendly schedule with Rustington now visiting the Beacon on Saturday 17th July in place of Littlehampton Town.
The Blues enjoyed an excellent 2020-21 campaign prior to the curtailment of the season in December, sitting top of Division Two having won eight of their 10 fixtures.
When football recommenced in April with the Supplementary Shield competitions, Rustington went all the way to the final of the Division Two tournament where they were beaten 5-1 by Montpelier Villa.
Hassocks and Rustington have only met once in a competitive senior game before. That came in the 2008-09 season when the Robins suffered a shock 2-1 defeat away from home in the second round of the John O’Hara League Cup.
James Bennett gave the Blues the lead on 26 minutes but it was short lived with Matt Amos levelling things up from three yards after Rustington had failed to clear a Laurence Robinson cross.
The winning goal arrived for the hosts with seven minutes left to play, Craig Cox finishing at the second time of asking after his initial effort had been blocked.
Rustington’s visit to the Beacon will kick off at 3pm. Hassocks’ pre-season schedule now reads:
- Tuesday 6th July, 7.30pm: Burgess Hill Town (H)
- Saturday 10th July, 3pm: Oakwood (H)
- Tuesday 13th July, 7.45pm: Shoreham (H)
- Saturday 17th July, 3pm: Rustington Town (H)
- Tuesday 20th July, 7.45pm: Haywards Heath Town (H)
- Saturday 24th July, 3pm: Sutton Common Rovers (H)
The Robins can also confirm that entry for the Ann John Trophy game against Burgess Hill Town will be via pay-what-you-like donation, allowing fans to give what they can afford.
All money raised will go to St Peter & St James Hospice. A record breaking £1500 was donated when the annual match in memory of Ann was played back in December.
