Hassocks hoping to pull off an almighty shock against all-conquering Littlehampton
The curtain comes down on Hassocks’ home season with one of the biggest games that the Beacon has hosted for many a year.
All-conquering Littlehampton Town are the visitors in the semi finals of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup. The winners will go onto face Saltdean United at Culver Road.
Hassocks have only played in four senior semi finals in their 120 year history. They have never made it into a final before, so this represents a chance for Brad Sweetman and his players to write a little bit of history.
Not that many people will give them a chance. The Marigolds were crowned Southern Combination League champions at the weekend, the first of four pieces of silverware they will be looking to take to the Flora Sportsfield over the course of the next month.
15 places and 53 points separated Littlehampton and Hassocks in the Premier Division standings. And Littlehampton won the two league meetings between the sides quite convincingly, triumphing 6-2 at the Beacon earlier in April and 4-2 at the Sportsfield in September.
If Hassocks were to win, it would be one of the biggest shocks in RUR Cup history. The reason why football is so popular is because of its unpredictability, something to remember as a Robins side who have shown remarkable resilience to pull clear of the relegation zone following a horror start to the season aim to upset the applecart.
Littlehampton Town this season
The Marigolds have proven themselves the best side in the Southern Combination this season, seeing off the challenge of Saltdean to win the championship by four points.
For most teams, winning a title is the pinnacle. For Littlehampton, it may only be the start as they have opportunities to lift three more trophies over the coming weeks.
Victory at the Beacon sends them into the RUR Cup final. They have a date with Newhaven to come in the Peter Bentley League Cup final.
The biggest prize of all awaits at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 22nd May. No Southern Combination side has ever made the FA Vase final before, so already Littlehampton have made history.
Victory over Newport Pagnell would turn an unbelievable season into a fairy tale one for Mitchell Hand, George Gaskin and their players.
Gaskin has netted 44 times and yet he still trails top scorer Joe Benn by 14, Benn having plundered an incredible 58 goals. That number becomes even more mind-blowing when you consider Benn missed a significant chunk of the season through the Spring through injury.
The 130 Premier Division goals Littlehampton have put up at an average of 3.4 per game must be some sort of record and it means that watching the Marigolds is rarely dull.
That explains the explosion in attendances at the Sportsfield this season. Littlehampton have become the best supported club in the Premier Division, an example of how powerful non league football can be when a town gets behind their local side.
They look well placed to thrive at Isthmian League level next season – with a potentially very full trophy cabinet to boot.
Hassocks v Littlehampton Town head-to-head
There have been 35 meetings between Hassocks and Littlehampton in the past and it is the Golds who dominate the head-to-head with 18 wins to Hassocks’ 13.
The Marigolds have racked up their fair share of goals in the fixture, scoring 69. 17 of those were notched in four matches across their 2014-15 title winning season and the following campaign, whilst the two Premier Division clashes between the sides in 2021-22 have yielded a further 10.
Last time Hassocks played Littlehampton Town
Hassocks chose a bad day to have an off-afternoon, affording Littlehampton too many chances which a side as good as the Golds were always going to punish on their way to a 6-2 win.
The Marigolds led 3-0 inside of 47 minutes via Aaron Capon, Dion Jarvis and Zack Harris. Sam Smith pulled one back for Hassocks but that just seemed to kick Littlehampton on further.
Lewis Jenkins, Jordan Clark and Harris again made it 6-1. Jack Troak claimed a second consolation for Hassocks with five minutes remaining for a mysterious penalty.
Admission prices and matchday information
Admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. Dogs are welcome and a 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.
