Packed month of fixtures for Hassocks in the third month of the campaign
November’s fixtures have been confirmed for Hassocks with the first team kicking off the month with a six pointer away at East Preston.
The Robins go to the Lashmar on Saturday 6th November to face an EP side one place below them in the table. Hassocks will be hoping for a similar result to last season’s 4-3 win at EP, although perhaps without quite so much drama – the Robins led 4-0 at half time, only to find themselves hanging on for victory as the hosts nearly completed a famous comeback.
Alfold visit the Beacon on Saturday 13th November, the first time they will have come to Hassocks for a senior game. Four times since Alfold won promotion to the Premier Division for the 2019-20 season this game has been postponed as a result of weather and lockdowns.
Hassocks have managed to visit Alfold Recreation Ground once in that time, although that fixture too has suffered its fair share of cancellations. Fold ran out 3-1 winners on the opening day of the 2020-21 campaign on the one occasion the sides have met.
The Robins then go to Broadbridge Heath on Saturday 20th November. Hassocks are yet to win at High Wood Hill Sports Ground. They were hammered 5-1 by the high-flying Bears when the sides met at the Beacon in August.
November is rounded off for the first team with the visit of Peacehaven & Telscombe to Mid Sussex. Hassocks enjoyed an excellent 2-1 win over the Tye in the corresponding fixture last season.
It was a less enjoyable experience when the Robins went to the Sports Park in August, suffering a 3-2 defeat in an entertaining clash which was good for the neutral but less so Hassocks.
Two midweek first team fixtures may yet be arranged. Pagham’s trip to the Beacon was lost to the weather over Halloween weekend and is awaiting a new date. Hassocks will also host one of Forest Row or Montpelier Villa in the second round of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
The Under 23s kick off November in county competition action of their own, travelling to Eastbourne Town on Thursday 4th November in the second round of the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup.
A 3-2 win over Saltdean United booked Hassocks’ trip to the Saffrons. The Robins and Town last met at development level when Hassocks were a part of the East Division in the 2016-17 season, losing 5-1 away from home and drawing 1-1 at the Beacon that year.
Two home games follow, Oakwood visiting in league action on Thursday 11th November with Steyning Town the opposition a week later in the Under 23 League Cup.
Hassocks complete their November fixtures with a trip to Roffey on Thursday 25th November. The Robins defeated Roffey 1-0 at the Beacon earlier in the campaign.
Three of the Under 18s four matches this month take place on the road. They face Burgess Hill Town on Sunday 7th November at Rottingdean FC having shared an enthralling 5-5 draw with the Hillians earlier in the campaign.
That is followed by a trip to Worthing United on Sunday 14th for a first meeting at youth team level with the Mavericks for many years.
Shoreham & Adur visit the Beacon in the Robins’ only home fixture of November on Sunday 21st before a local derby at St Francis Rangers rounds off the month on Sunday 28th.
The Veterans play their first match at the Beacon so far this season on Sunday 21st November. Ansty Sports & Social are the visitors at 2pm and entrance is free for anyone who wishes to catch Nick Newman’s side in action.
Finally, the Ladies have four games to look forward to. They travel to Peacehaven & Telscombe in the Sussex County Women’s League Cup on Sunday 7th November.
Woodingdean Wanderers visit the Beacon a week later on Sunday 14th with the month rounded off by away games at Worthing Town on Sunday 21st and Eastbourne Town on Sunday 28th.
