Can Robins break their goal drought at Gorings Mead?
The games are coming thick and fast now. Next up for Hassocks is a Tuesday night trip to Horsham YMCA, where they will have to overcome an historically poor record at Herbert Direct Stadium if they are to pick up a first win in three.
It also no goals in three. Since scoring seven times past Roffey on Bank Holiday Monday, the Robins have drawn a blank against Little Common, AFC Varndeanians and Crawley Down Gatwick.
That is not for the want of trying, however. Hassocks have created plenty of opportunities; they just need one to end up in the back of the opposition net.
There would be no better place to end the drought than YM, securing some rare points from Gorings Mead in the process.
Horsham YMCA this season
Early days it might be, but Horsham YMCA look on course to enjoy their best Premier Division campaign for several years.
Manager Dean Carden has been given the time needed to build a squad capable of competing at this level, resulting in steady season-by-season improvement since long-standing boss Peter Buckland stepped down.
YM appear to have the ideal mix of goal scorers at one end – league top scorer Tom Tolfrey and former Robin Ben Bacon – and a mean defence at the other.
Before their 3-0 weekend defeat at Little Common, YM had conceded just three times in six matches. That defeat at the Recreation Ground came with regular number one Aaron Jeal absent following the birth of his new baby boy.
YM currently sit third in the Premier Division with five wins and two losses from seven matches to date. They have made progress in two knockout competitions as well, beating Faversham Strike Force 2-0 away from home in the FA Vase and hammering Alfold 5-0 in the Peter Bentley League Cup.
Horsham YMCA v Hassocks head-to-head
Horsham YMCA have been one of Hassocks’ most frequently faced opponents since the Robins joined the Southern Combination League in 1982.
There have been 53 games between the sides. YM have won 28 with 13 Hassocks wins and 13 draws. YM’s dominance of the fixture stems largely from their strong record at the Herbert Direct Stadium.
Since 2000, the Robins have won just three league matches at Gorings Mead. The most recent of those came two seasons ago when a Jack Troak penalty and a Charlie Pitcher double secured a 3-1 win for Dave John’s side.
Last time Hassocks played Horsham YMCA
No prizes for guessing the outcome the last time Hassocks went to Horsham YMCA back in March. It finished 1-0 to the hosts with the only goal arriving in the second minute.
Dan Lombardo scored it with a crisp finish at the far post after Tolfrey took advantage of some very slack defending from a quickly taken throw.
The Robins had chances to equalise but Jeal in the YM goal played like prime Gordon Banks to earn himself a clean sheet and three points for his side.
How to get to the Herbert Direct Stadium
The ground is situated on the outskirts of Horsham town centre. Take the A272 to Cowfold before joining the A281 towards Horsham.
Once in the town, Gorings Mead is located on the left before the railway bridge, as directed by the “YMCA” sign.
There is extremely limited parking at the ground and when that is full there is no parking in the street leading to the ground.
Supporters are advised to park in one of the many car parks that are a five-minute walk away.
Please not that kick off is at 7:30pm.
