Hassocks host a Newhaven outfit coming off the back of an enforced Covid-19 break
After collecting four points from a possible six over the August Bank Holiday weekend from home matches against Steyning Town and Lingfield, Hassocks are again in action at the Beacon with Newhaven this time the visitors.
Since winning promotion to the Premier Division for the 2013-14 season, the Dockers have rarely been outside of the top seven. More often than not, they put up a decent fight in the title race and needless to say, that means that Hassocks do not have a particularly great record against them.
The Robins though will come into this one buoyed by their exploits last week – especially as they went unbeaten despite playing for over an hour against Steyning and Lingfield with only 10 men.
If Hassocks can show the same fight that saw them overcome the dismissals of Luke Marshall and Connor Bradley with a little over 30 minutes played in both those matches, then they will have a chance of picking up some rare points against Newhaven.
Newhaven this season
Whereas most of the Premier Division have played seven or eight league matches by this stage, a truncated start has seen Newhaven complete only four – meaning they will arrive at the Beacon eager to kick start their campaign.
A covid outbreak at the Dockers saw both of their Bank Holiday weekend matches against Loxwood and AFC Varndeanians postponed; the good news with their visit to Mid Sussex going ahead is that they are now over the worst and everyone at Hassocks of course wishes all those who were impacted a speedy recovery.
Newhaven’s Premier Division record prior to their enforced isolation reads two wins, one draw and one defeat, leaving them 11 points off current leaders Pagham – but with four games in hand on the Lions.
That sole loss came at the hands of title favourites Saltdean United. Aside from their 3-1 reversal at Hill Park, Newhaven have been in free scoring form, most notably when putting four past Horsham YMCA and six past Camberley Town in the FA Cup.
That the Dockers are racking up big victories will come as no surprise to seasoned Southern Combination League observers familiar with the scoring feats of Lee Robinson.
The Premier Division’s most dangerous marksman has scored a scarcely believable total of over 350 goals for Newhaven. It feels like around 100 of those have come against Hassocks given the frequency with which Robinson has caused problems to numerous Robins sides throughout the years.
Any club who possess a striker of his talents is always likely to be challenging at the right end of the table and Newhaven are no different.
Hassocks v Newhaven head-to-head
There have been 17 previous meetings between Hassocks and Newhaven across the Premier Division and Division One. Despite both sides having been in the Southern Combination League together for approaching 40 years now, they have incredibly never been paired in a cup competition.
Of those 17 matches, it is Newhaven who are dominant with 10 wins to the Robins’ four, leaving three draws. Only one of those Hassocks victories has come at Fort Road, a shock 1-0 success delivered by a Spencer Slaughter goal in February 2019.
The Robins will be grateful to have home advantage on this occasion given their terrible record down by the Ouse estuary.
Newhaven love racking up the goals against Hassocks too, scoring 41 in that time at an average of nearly three a game.
That does at least make for entertaining fare for the neutral with the last fixture in November 2019 ending in a particularly chaotic 3-2 victory for the visitors to the Beacon.
Last time Hassocks played Newhaven
Two goals in the space of four minutes early in the second half from Robbie Keith and Mo Diallo looked like they would send Newhaven to their normal easy win against Hassocks.
The Robins rallied though and Ben Bacon set up a nervy finish with his eighth of the season six minutes from time having come off the bench.
It proved to be a good day to be a substitute. Jack Langford had begun the game amongst the replacements for the Dockers and three minutes after Bacon’s goal, he earned a penalty which Ian Robinson duly despatched to make it 3-1.
The scoring from the bench was not done there. Phil Johnson marked his return from three months out with a broken leg with a goal with seconds remaining to ensure that Hassocks only lost by one.
Admission prices and matchday information
Admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. The Clubhouse will be open for supporters with the Robins Bar selling a wide range of beers from local breweries and beyond and and the T Bar catering for hot food and drink. Contactless payments are available on the gate and in the Clubhouse.
Although all Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted, track and trace barcodes will still be available for those who wish to use them.
Masks are no longer mandatory inside but please wear one if you prefer and all two metre signage remains as a guide for those who wish to continue practicing social distancing. Hand sanitiser will also be provided around the ground.
