Hillians and Hawks the pick of the fixtures as Hassocks gear up for the new campaign
Hassocks have announced their pre-season friendly schedule with six matches pencilled in ahead of the 2022-23 Southern Combination League campaign.
As always, the highlight will be the Ann John Trophy against Burgess Hill Town. The ninth edition of the annual fundraiser for St Peter & St James’ Hospice will take place at the Beacon on Tuesday 19th July, kick off 7:45pm.
Hill made it five wins in a row last season, securing a 6-0 victory over the Robins on an evening where £1200 was raised for the Hospice.
Max Miller claimed a hat-trick with further goals coming from Martyn Box, George Brown and Pat Harding.
Harding will of course be in Hassocks colours this time around, having swapped the More Than Tyres Stadium for the Beacon this summer.
He is sure to receive a good reception from the travelling Hill supporters on the first occasion he has come up against the club where he achieved legendary status over the course of 11 years.
Burgess Hill will not be the only Isthmian League opponents who Hassocks face. Shaun Saunders will bring his Whitehawk side to the Beacon on Saturday 23rd July for a 3pm kick off.
It will be the first game between the sides since a friendly at the Enclosed Ground in 2016. Hawks were a National League South side at the time and the gap in quality was noticable with the hosts running out 6-0 winners.
Hassocks will start pre-season on Saturday 9th July at home to Southern Combination Division One side Epsom & Ewell at 3pm. Three days later and the Robins make the trip to Arundel for a 7:45pm kick off at Mill Road.
A visit to Combined Counties League outfit Horley Town follows on Saturday 16th July at 3pm. Those games with Burgess Hill and Whitehawk come next, with Hassocks rounding off their preparations at home against Oakwood on Tuesday 26th July, kick off at 7:45pm.
The Premier Division season then kicks off on Saturday 30th July with the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup one week later over the weekend of 6th August.
Ahead of the new campaign, Hassocks are still looking to add a physio to their backroom staff. The role would involve providing medical support to the players on matchdays and around the club.
If you are interested in finding out more about the role and what it would entail, then please email jameswestlake@live.co.uk.
Hassocks pre-season friendlies 2021-22:
- Saturday 9th July, 3pm: Epsom & Ewell (H)
- Tuesday 12th July, 7:45pm: Arundel (A)
- Saturday 16th July, 3pm: Horley Town (A)
- Tuesday 19th July, 7:45pm: Burgess Hill Town (H)
- Saturday 23rd July, 3pm: Whitehawk (H)
- Tuesday 26th July, 7:45pm: Oakwood (H)
