Tough test against the free-scoring Marigolds for Hassocks
After five consecutive home games, Hassocks hit the road for the first time in nearly a month with a very tough assignment away at Littlehampton Town.
The Marigolds were awarded promotion to the Premier Division for the 2021-22 season having been pretty much unbeatable in Division One in the past two curtailed campaigns.
They have wasted no time in making an impression on the top flight and currently lead the way at the top of the table with a first Southern Combination title since 2015 a very real possibility.
Littlehampton Town this season
Seven wins and one defeat from eight league games leaves the Marigolds level on points with Pagham but ahead based on goal difference.
It is the goals for column that will be most concerning for Hassocks ahead of their visit to the St Flora Sportsfield.
Whilst the Robins have conceded 27 times so far in 2021-22 – only AFC Varndeanians have let in more – Littlehampton lead the way in terms of scoring having plundered 28 from eight matches at an average of over three a game.
The Marigolds possess numerous threats in attack. Joe Benn is the Premier Division’s top scorer with a frankly ridiculous 17 goals in 12 matches.
Former Littlehampton player-manager George Gaskin is second in their charts with ‘only’ seven. For context, Hassocks have scored 10 goals in total in all competitions so far.
Littlehampton’s cup performances show they can mix with clubs from higher levels. They hammered Isthmian League Sittingbourne 4-0 in an FA Cup Preliminary Round replay and then came close to another upset against Whitehawk, losing a nine-goal thriller 5-4.
Littlehampton Town v Hassocks head-to-head
There have been 33 meetings between Littlehampton and Hassocks over the past 40 or so years since Hassocks won promotion to the Southern Combination League in the 1980s.
Given that the Marigolds have traditionally been one of the biggest clubs at this level in Sussex, it will come as no surprise to see that they lead the head-to-head with 16 wins to the Robins’ 13.
Littlehampton have racked up their fair share of goals in the fixture too, scoring 59 times. That figure was hugely helped by the 17 they notched in four matches across their 2014-15 Southern Combination title winning season and the following campaign.
Last time Hassocks played Littlehampton Town
It was a massive game in the Premier Division relegation battle when Hassocks went to the Sportsfield in February 2018. Littlehampton were rock bottom of the table with the Robins stuck in the bottom three themselves and in the midst of a club-record run of 14 matches without a win.
That sequence was ended thanks to a 2-0 victory with the goals coming from two teenagers. Jack Wilkins opened the scoring with his first senior goal and then Under 18s striker Jake Lindsey wrapped up the win.
Littlehampton ended the season relegated to Division One. Hassocks meanwhile finished third from bottom but were spared relegation based on ground grading as only two sides were promoted.
How to get to St Flora Sportsfield
Take the A27 to Worthing before joining the A259 through Goring, East Preston and Angmering. When you reach the roundabout featuring a Burger King and Travelodge, take the second exit onto the B2187 Horsham Road into Littlehampton.
As the road bears around to the right, take the left hand turn onto St Flora’s Road with the ground being located towards the bottom of the road on the left hand side.
Admission to the Sportsfield is priced at £6 adults and £3 concessions.
