Hassocks host a Bexhill United side who have made quite a Premier Division splash
For the first time since the 1994-95 season, Bexhill United visit Hassocks for a Southern Combination League match.
John Major was Prime Minister back then. Dave John’s hair and beard were jet black. And the Robins would end the Division One campaign winning promotion to the top flight of Sussex football for the first time in their history.
Much has changed since, at both Hassocks and Bexhill. Both sides come into this one in decent form, the Robins having won four, drawn four and lost three of their last 11.
The Pirates meanwhile have made quite a splash in their first Premier Division campaign for 30 years. Hassocks’ first 3pm Saturday home game for six weeks should be an entertaining one.
Bexhill United this season
Bexhill have wasted no time in stamping their mark on the top flight. The Pirates were awarded promotion in the summer by the FA based on their results in Division One over the previous two curtailed seasons, a deserved reward as Ryan Light and his players had been hanging onto the coattails of Littlehampton Town in both 2019-20 and 2020-21 before Covid-19 struck.
Just how strong the top of the lower division has been over the past couple of years has been evidenced by Littlehampton being on course to win the Southern Combination League title at the first attempt and Bexhill having spent virtually all of the campaign in the top six.
The Pirates arrive in Mid Sussex having won 14 and drawn eight of their 25 games, meaning that only three of their matches have ended in defeat – the joint-lowest in the division alongside Littlehampton and Newhaven.
That record leaves Bexhill currently sitting sixth in the table but with games in hand on every side above them, bar the leaders.
Win their additional matches and they would go level with current second placed side Newhaven, so the Pirates are well in the race for the runners up spot at the very least. Taking the silver medal would result in Bexhill’s best campaign since 1969.
Hassocks v Bexhill United head-to-head
This will be the 10th meeting between Hassocks and Bexhill. Of the previous nine, the first four came in Division One, when Bexhill were known as Bexhill Town.
The four matches after that took place in cup competitions with the newly formed Bexhill United, a result of a 2002 merger between Town and Bexhill AAC.
Finally, the first Premier Division meeting took place back in October at the Polegrove – Hassocks famously making their longest trip of the season in the middle of the petrol shortage.
It is Bexhill who lead the head-to-head with four wins to Hassocks’ three, leaving two draws.
Last time Hassocks played Bexhill United
An excellent performance against the high flying Pirates gave the Robins their first away point of the season on a miserable afternoon weather-wise at the Polegrove.
The wind and rain meant the game was largely dictated by who coped best with the conditions. This enabled Hassocks to show their fighting and battle qualities in grinding out a 1-1 draw.
Alfie Loversidge gave the visitors a shock lead with seven minutes on the clock. That was cancelled out 13 minutes later by Evan Archibald.
Although Bexhill kept knocking on the Hassocks door in the second half, they could find no way past Alex Harris whose handling was magnificent in such testing conditions.
Admission prices and matchday information
Admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. Dogs are welcome and a 44 page matchday programme is available for £1.
The Clubhouse will be open for supporters with the Robins Bar selling a wide range of beers from local breweries and beyond and the T Bar catering for hot food and drink. Contactless payments are available on the gate and in the Clubhouse.
Although Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted in England, track and trace barcodes are still available for those who wish to use them.
Masks are not mandatory inside but please wear one if you prefer. 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.
