Hassocks head to Loxwood in big game at the bottom of the table
It is the battle of the Southern Combination League Premier Division birds as the Robins of Hassocks take flight to face the Magpies of Loxwood at the Nest.
Matches between the two clubs are always full of intrigue because of the number of players who have represented both through the years and this weekend’s clash will be no different.
Hassocks have signed former Loxwood manager Spencer Slaughter, his assistant James Westlake and midfielder Josh Hawkes in recent weeks and all could make a poignant return to the Nest to take on their former club.
Reunions aside, there is the small matter of three Premier Division points on the line. Just one point separates Hassocks and Loxwood towards the bottom of the table and although a little too early in the season to be talking about must-win matches, this does have a feel of a game which neither side can afford to lose.
Loxwood this season
As already noted, a quick glance at the table will tell you what an important game this is. The Magpies are one of only four sides below Hassocks, having won two, drawn two and lost 10 of their games so far.
The most recent of those victories came against second-bottom East Preston. The first was a hugely impressive three points against a Little Common side who have spent most of the early part of the campaign in and around the title picture.
Whilst Hassocks were busy losing 2-0 to Crawley Down Gatwick in the Sussex Senior Cup on Tuesday night, Loxwood were hammered 10-1 at home by Newhaven – the biggest defeat in the Premier Division so far this season.
The Robins will know only too well what that means – expect an almighty backlash. Hassocks themselves were thrashed 8-0 by Horley Town last season, only to follow that up by winning 3-1 at Horsham YMCA three days later for a first league win at Gorings Mead in 17 years.
Loxwood will be eager to put things right and as William Congreve once wrote, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Loxwood v Hassocks head-to-head
The sides first clashed in the 2014-15 season, since when there have been 12 meetings. Hassocks have only ever beaten the Magpies twice, a 4-0 win at the Nest in September 2018 and a 6-2 success at the Beacon a year later.
James Littlejohn scored his first senior hat-trick with Slaughter seeing red for Loxwood that afternoon. The eight scored in an enthralling afternoon feed into an entertaining past four fixtures which seen 22 goals fly in.
Last time Hassocks played Loxwood
It was one of the worst afternoons in recent memory for Hassocks supporters. Two clubs deep in relegation trouble met at the Nest in February 2020, where Loxwood ran out 3-0 winners to record their first victory of the season at the 22nd attempt.
All the goals came in the first 25 minutes from Mark Goldson, a certain Charlie Pitcher and Tim Bennett. Hassocks did improve marginally in the second half but to be so comprehensively beaten by a club without a win was very disappointing.
And then three days later, Hassocks came from 2-0 down to beat Horsham YMCA 3-2 at the Beacon. Another reminder that poor results are often followed by victories.
How to get to the Nest
Follow the A272 to and through Billingshurst, crossing the roundabout with the A29 before joining the B2133 shortly after.
Pass through Newpound and Roundstreet Common, approaching a fork in the road with Skiff Lane. Plaistow Road is just on the left after that with the Nest on your left a very short distance down it.
