Hassocks host Lingfield in the opening round of the World’s Greatest Cup Competition
The Magic of the FA Cup comes to the Beacon. Hassocks are just 13 wins away from the final at Wembley, starting with the visit of Lingfield in the extra preliminary qualifying round.
It kicks off a big weekend at the Beacon. On Sunday, Hassocks hosts Lewes Women v WSL side West Ham United in a pre-season friendly. Two big crowds and two entertaining games in the sunshine would represent a brilliant 24 hours of football in the village.
Hassocks have lost both of their competitive matches so far under new head coach James Westlake. The glory and the prize money on offer from victory in the FA Cup would make this a good day on which to get the monkey off their back.
Lingfield meanwhile are unbeaten this season. A draw with Alfold and a win over Saltdean United mean they will arrive in Mid Sussex full of confidence.
Lingfield last season
In may ways, Lingfield had a 2021-22 campaign which was the complete opposite to what Hassocks experienced. Whereas the Robins played two-thirds of their home games in the first half of the campaign, Lingfield spent much of the opening four months on the road.
Even when the cricket season finished, the Lingers still struggled to play games at Godstone Road through trouble with pitches and other problems.
Hassocks’ trip to Lingfield for example took place at Church Road, Whyteleafe on Monday 3rd January. The loss of home advantage partly explains why Lingfield finished 12th, having been on course for the top seven before Covid-19 intervened in the 2020-21 season.
Unfortunately, they face similar problems again this time around. Just three of their opening seven fixtures are scheduled to be at home.
Two of those will take place at Steyning Town’s Shooting Field. And should an FA Cup replay be required with the scores level between Hassocks and Lingfield, it will be held at the Beacon on Tuesday night rather than the Sports Pavilion.
Hassocks v Lingfield head-to-head
There have been 30 meetings between the Robins and Lingfield over the past 40 years, spanning seven different competitions.
The Lingers are one of the few clubs Hassocks have faced in the Southern Combination League Premier, Division One and Division Two. This though will be the first ever FA Cup meeting between the sides.
Hassocks lead the head-to-head with 13 wins to Lingfield’s 10. Seven matches have ended in draws, suggesting that there is not much between the clubs historically.
It is Lingfield though who have been the dominant side in recent years. The Robins have won just two of the past nine meetings – a 3-2 Peter Bentley League Cup win at the Beacon in the 2018-19 season and January’s trip to Whyteleafe.
Last time Hassocks played Lingfield
A waterlogged pitch at Godstone Road gave Hassocks an unexpected journey inside of the M25 to kick off 2022 with a first ever visit to Church Road, Whyteleafe.
Not that the extra travelling mattered. Goals from Josh Short and Jack Troak secured a 2-1 win for the Robins, their first away victory of the 2021-22 campaign.
Hassocks went into half time two to the good and although Aaron Jenkins pulled one back on the hour mark, it was relatively comfortable for the Robins.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 3:00pm and admission is £7 adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16s. The T Bar will be open serving hot food and drink and the Robins Bar has a wide selection of craft beer from local breweries and other alcohol.
Dogs are welcome and printed matchday programmes will be on sale for £1. The winners of the tie will face Isthmian League side Uxbridge at home on the weekend of 20th August.
