Semi final spot on the line under the Beacon lights
It is take two between Hassocks and Seaford Town in the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup Quarter Final after the initial tie a fortnight ago was lost to rain,
On the line is a big semi, the sort of occasion that the Robins have rarely experienced since joining the Southern Combination League four decades ago.
The last time Hassocks made it to the final four of a knockout competition came in the RUR Cup 10 years back, the same season Mickey Jewell led the club to their highest ever finish of fourth in the Premier Division.
It has been a rather different campaign for the Class of 2022, who have spent the entire season in the bottom five, fighting relegation.
The Robins’ improved form since mid-November began with their first game in this season’s RUR Cup, a 5-0 victory over Montpelier Villa. Hassocks have since accounted for Crawley Down Gatwick to make it this far.
Further progress will not be easy against a Seaford side fighting for promotion from Division One. And as Hassocks fans saw when Roffey eliminated the Robins from the Peter Bentley League Cup in September, there is not much difference between the top of the lower division and the bottom of the Premier.
Seaford Town this season
The Badgers are enjoying their best campaign for over 25 years, looking set to eclipse their highest finish in that time of fifth in the second tier of the Southern Combination set in the 2010-11 campaign.
They currently sit fourth in the table on 53 points having won 16, drawn five and lost seven of their 27 matches so far.
With Division One set to feature end-of-season playoffs for the first time and the potential for several clubs needing to step up to fill places in the top flight as the reorganisation of the pyramid continues further up, there is every chance that Seaford could end their 30 year absence from the Premier Division.
That would be a deserved reward for what has happened both on and off the pitch at the Crouch over the past couple of the years.
Paul Wise has built a squad capable of going toe-to-toe with most sides in Sussex on their day, as their results in reaching the quarter final stage of the RUR Cup prove.
The Badgers have eliminated Isthmian League outfit Lancing and Hassocks’ fellow Premier Division club Broadbridge Heath.
Arguably Seaford’s most impressive result of the season came in the Sussex Senior Cup when they hammered Loxwood 6-1 at Plaistow Road back in November.
The people of Seaford have responded to the good form of their town’s team with the average attendance at the Crouch edging over 100, an excellent number for a Division One club.
Hassocks v Seaford Town head-to-head
Meetings between Hassocks and Seaford have been few and far between, Town’s fall from the top table in the early 1990s occurring around the same time as the Robins were rising through the divisions.
Eight previous matches have yielded four wins apiece. Seaford edge the league meetings, winning three times compared to Hassocks’ one in the four Division One clashes that took place across the 1986-87 and 1992-93 campaigns.
Hassocks in contrast lead the way in knockout competitions. The Robins have won both previous RUR Cup meetings as well as the only Sussex Senior Cup clash between the sides, leaving Seaford with a solitary Peter Bentley Cup success from 2009.
Last time Hassocks played Seaford Town
There was plenty of entertainment to be had when Seaford visited the Beacon in the third round of the RUR Cup in the 2018-19 season.
Eight goals, a missed penalty and former Hassocks Reserve manager turned Seaford boss Scott Osborne being sent to the stands made for a captivating evening.
Liam Benson put the Robins 1-0 ahead on 40 minutes but the lead lasted less than 60 seconds before Ali Rainsford equalised.
There was still enough time before the interval for Seaford to miss a penalty as the first half finished in action packed fashion.
Hassocks motored through the gears after the restart. Jordan Badger made it 2-1 on 47 minutes, Phil Johnson then added a third and Jake Lindsey a fourth to spark a fantastic Osborne meltdown which resulted in his dismissal from the dugout.
A rare Harry Mills goal made it 5-1 with 10 minutes remaining. Seaford found a second consolation through Connor Martin before Lindsey rounded off the scoring in the final seconds to complete his first senior brace.
Admission prices and matchday information
Admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. Dogs are welcome and a 40 page printed 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.
