Alfold head to the Beacon for the first time in senior football – hopefully
It is the Southern Combination League fixture that Mother Natures loves to hate. Alfold may have been a Premier Division club for three seasons now, but they have only faced Hassocks once in that time following a raft of postponements.
In the 2019-20 season, Hassocks were scheduled to visit Alfold Recreation Ground on four occasions. Each was lost to weather with one postponement coming only 10 minutes before kick off following a monsoon over the Sussex-Surrey border.
The return game at the Beacon also fell to the weather once and then the Spring 2020 lockdown arrived, curtailing the campaign.
There was little that the weather could do last season when Alfold v Hassocks was scheduled on the opening day of the 2020-21 campaign, the Robins suffering a 3-1 defeat in the only game completed to date between these two sides.
Rain though intervened again for the return, leading the December clash in Mid Sussex to fall by the wayside. Another lockdown was put in place and another season was declared null and void, meaning that Alfold were still yet to visit the Beacon.
Until now. Hopefully.
Alfold this season
Alfold have been on a remarkable rise through the divisions over the past six years, climbing from the West Sussex League to the Southern Combination Premier in rapid time.
As recently as 2013, they were playing park football in West Sussex Division Two North, winning a series of promotions before being invited into Division Two of the Southern Combination for 2015-16.
Within three seasons, they secured a place in Division One and senior football for the first time for the 2018-19 campaign, which turned out to be the most memorable in the club’s history as they won the title at the first attempt.
Premier Division football was coming to the Recreation Ground as Alfold completed an astonishing climb of six divisions in just six years.
The managerial team responsible for that most recent success departed this summer, Jack and Matt Munday deciding to stand down in May.
Their place has been taken by former Dorking manager Glynn Stephens. He has had to carry out a bit of a rebuild as Alfold lost most of their dangerous front line to Division One Roffey, including Devon Fender and Tiago Andrade.
It is going reasonably well so far for Stephens. Fold are safely tucked into mid table as we approach the halfway point of the campaign with seven wins, two draws and eight defeats to their name.
Hassocks v Alfold head-to-head
As already noted, there has been just one previous meeting between Hassocks and Alfold which the hosts eased to a 3-1 victory in last August.
Hassocks were in the game at the hour mark with the scores locked at 1-1 after Charlie Pitcher cancelled out Andrade’s opener.
Alfold’s second from Sammy Clemments saw veteran goalkeeper Phil Wickwar limp off injured to be replaced by defender Dan Turner and it was an uphill battle from there. The hosts added a third as Andrade completed his brace for a 3-1 victory.
Admission prices and matchday information
Admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. Our 36 page matchday printed programme will be on sale for £1, pin badges are available from the Robins Bar and dogs are welcome.
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.
