Robins face old friends Crowborough at the Community Stadium
For the first time since 2014, Hassocks travel to Crowborough Athletic. The resumption of regular meetings with the Crows is sure to be welcome by Robins fans as over the previous 30 years, fixtures between the clubs had usually been close-fought and entertaining.
That came to an end when the Football Association decided to move Crowborough to the Southern Counties East League, where they have spent the past eight seasons.
Another sideways move instigated by the FA brings the Crows back to the Southern Combination Premier Division for 2022-23.
Both sides occupy top 10 positions coming into the clash at the Crowborough Community Stadium, level on 19 points in a very congested upper half of the table.
Points cannot separate them and neither can form. They both suffered their most recent league defeats on September 17th, Hassocks away at current leaders Crawley Down Gatwick and Crowborough from their longest trip of the season to face Midhurst & Easebourne.
Everything it set up for another tight, dramatic encounter as the Robins visit the Crows again after an eight year wait.
Crowborough Athletic this season
The South East Counties is considered a stronger league than the Southern Combination, so the theory went that the Crows would be well equipped to make a good impression back with their fellow Sussex clubs.
They are handily sat in ninth position with five wins, four draws and just two defeats to their name. Only Broadbridge Heath in second place have lost fewer games.
Amongst the Crows most impressive results are a 1-0 win over Eastbourne United at the Community Stadium back in August and a draw with then-leaders Newhaven in their most recent home game.
Crowborough Athletic v Hassocks head-to-head
There have been 25 matches played between Hassocks and Crowborough Athletic across a number of different competitions.
The Robins have won 13, Crowborough nine with three draws. Helping Hassocks’ good record in the fixture is an unbeaten six-game spell, including five successive wins between 2010 and 2014.
Most of those victories were by a single goal, highlighting that there is normally not much in it when the clubs meet.
Last time Hassocks played Crowborough Athletic
Crowborough visited the Beacon in the third round of the 2016-17 Sussex Senior Cup, the only time the sides faced each other in competitive action whilst the Crows were in the South East Counties.
Victory would have equalled Hassocs’ best ever run in the competition by securing a quarter final berth. It was the visitors though who picked up a 1-0 win through a Ross Treleaven goal with five minutes remaining when extra time appeared looming.
The most recent league meeting was that last time the Robins went to the Community Stadium in April 2014. Mickey Jewell’s injury-hit squad were well beaten 4-0.
How to get to the Crowborough Community Stadium
Head east on the A272 from Haywards Heath towards Uckfield, taking a right at the roundabout when you reach the A22.
At the next roundabout with the McDonalds, go left and follow the A26 towards Crowborough. Just before entering Crowborough, take a right onto Sheep Plain, following the road until you reach Aldervale Cottages on your right.
The ground is then on the right nearly immediately after you turn onto the road. Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices £8 adults, £5 concessions and £1 under 16s.
