Robins look to bounce back against high-flying Little Common
Hassocks play the last of five consecutive home matches as Premier Division surprise packages Little Common visit the Beacon.
When the fixtures came out back in mid-July, Little Common looked like one of the easier games in a horrendously difficult start for the Robins. How wrong can you be?
Instead, it now appears one of the toughest to date — despite the face that Hassocks have already faced the likes of Saltdean United, Eastbourne Town, Newhaven and AFC Uckfield Town.
That is because Little Common are absolutely flying in the league, showing remarkable consistency so far to sit third in the table.
Hassocks meanwhile have been the polar opposite, veering from taking four points over Bank Holiday Weekend despite finishing both of their matches with only 10 men to conceding 10 goals in the space of 72 hours against Newhaven and Roffey.
Nobody knows what Robins will turn up when Common come to town. What is obvious though is that if Hassocks are to have a chance, it needs to be their good side.
Little Common this season
As already mentioned, Common are flying high in third place. They have picked up 16 points from a possible 24 with two of those results being particularly eye catching.
On the opening day of the season they hammered current leaders Pagham 4-0. They have also taken a point from much-fancied Eastbourne Town.
This is Common’s fourth season as a Premier Division club and they already feel like part of the furniture in the top flight, even if only one of those campaigns has been completed.
They finished in 16th place in the 2018-19 season. In the two seasons which have suffered curtailment, Common have been a long way clear of relegation which points to progress being made year-on-year by Russell Eldridge at his players.
Hassocks v Little Common head-to-head
The two sides have met on 15 previous occasions. Only two of those so far have come in the Premier Division, the majority of matches taking place in Division One during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In terms of the head-to-head, both sides have won five games apiece with five draws, so there nothing to separate them historically. You do though have to go back to the 1993-94 season to find the last time the Robins beat Common.
Last time Hassocks played Lingfield
The clubs did not manage to face each other in either the 2019-20 or 2020-21 seasons before the pandemic curtailed both campaigns. February 2019 in Mid Sussex is therefore the last meeting.
It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show for Hassocks. A week after the Robins had won 1-0 away at Newhaven in their first ever victory at Fort Road, it took an 80th minute equaliser from Liam Benson to secure a 1-1 draw against Common at the Beacon after Lewis Hole had given the visitors the lead.
Mark Dalgleish gave second Hassocks debuts to Jack Rowe-Hurst who returned to the club from Shoreham and Lewis Westlake who re-signed from Loxwood.
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.
