Hassocks face six of last season’s top 10 in opening eight games
The full Southern Combination League Premier Division 2021-22 fixture list has been released and Hassocks look in for a very tough start to the campaign against several clubs who will be harbouring title ambitions.
We already knew that the first two matches would come against Broadbridge Heath – who completed a double over the Robins last season – and Saltdean United, who were top of the table prior to curtailment.
Things do not get much easier after that with the five of the next six fixtures against opponents in the top 10 before the winter lockdown arrived.
Following Spelthorne Sport’s visit to the Beacon in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, Hassocks host Eastbourne Town on Saturday 14th August and AFC Uckfield Town three days later.
A trip to Peacehaven & Telscombe is on the cards on Tuesday 24th August, Steyning Town are in Mid Sussex on Saturday 28th August and August Bank Holiday Monday will be spent at Lingfield, whom Hassocks drew and lost to in last season’s Supplementary Shield.
Newhaven at home kicks off September on Saturday 4th before the Peter Bentley League Cup provides a respite from that bruising opening eight games of the campaign. Division One outfit Roffey visit the Beacon in the second round of the Peter Bentley League Cup on Tuesday 7th September.
Other fixtures to look out for are a first league meeting since the 1994-95 season with Bexhill United. The Robins go to the Polegrove and its brilliant main stand on Saturday 2nd October. The Pirates make the long trip to Hassocks on Saturday 29th January.
A week later and there is a first ever match in senior football against AFC Varndeanians, who are at the Beacon on Saturday 9th October. The Robins visit Withdean Stadium to play V’s on Saturday 12th February.
Littlehampton Town are the other newcomers to the top flight after being elevated from Division One. Hassocks go the Sports Field on Saturday 18th September and the Golds are at the Beacon on Saturday 9th April.
Saturday 23rd October will see the Robins lock horns with Loxwood at Plaistow Road, managed by former Hassocks favourite Spencer Slaughter. Slaughter can be sure of a warm welcome when he takes to the away dugout at the Beacon on Saturday 26th February.
There is no Boxing Day fixture this season owing to December 26th falling on a Sunday; instead, games take place on Monday 27th when Hassocks visit Crawley Down Gatwick, who could have quite a few familiar faces on show at the Haven.
The first game of 2022 also takes place on a Monday. Lingfield travel to the Beacon on January 3rd. As is traditional, the Boxing Day game is reversed on Easter Monday and so the Anvils visit Hassocks on Monday 18th April and the season is completed five days later at Alfold on Saturday 23rd April.
You can view Hassocks’ full 2021-22 fixture list by clicking here.
