Hassocks host AFC Uckfield Town in their first match of the new year
2023 kicks off for Hassocks with the visit of AFC Uckfield Town to the Beacon in a 2pm kick off.
The Robins saw their game at Roffey postponed on Monday due to a waterlogged pitch, meaning it is the Oakmen who will instead provide the first opponents of the new year.
December proved to be a difficult month for Hassocks with defeats to Midhurst & Easebourne, Eastbourne Town and Steyning Town.
The last of those matches took place on Boxing Day, where the Robins surrendered a 2-0 half time lead to lose 3-2.
Plenty of entertainment for the biggest crowd the Beacon has seen for a league game in over 15 years of 300 plus, but not the results Hassocks would have wanted.
Games against the Oakmen tend to be similarly enthralling with decisive outcomes and plenty of goals. Good news perhaps as the Robins look to end their three-game losing streak.
AFC Uckfield Town this season
AFC Uckfield Town are going through something of a transitional season with a new manager and a new squad of young players finding their feet at this level.
In a summer in which most of the Southern Combination League seemed to make a managerial change, it says much that the Oakmen made one of the most eye-catching appointments in the Premier Division.
Jonny Elwood arrived at the Oaks to become a number one or the first time in senior football having previously coached at Whitehawk, Tonbridge Angels and Crowborough Athletic whilst also run the EMC Academy across Kent and Sussex.
That gave Elwood a wealth of contacts which he put to good use, building a young but talented squad with the aim of playing an entertaining passing style of football.
As is normally the case with younger players, results have been inconsistent. Uckfield sit 15th with six wins, two draws and 10 defeats from their 18 games so far.
Hassocks v AFC Uckfield Town head-to-head
Hassocks have met AFC Uckfield on 20 previous occasions. The head-to-head reads 10 Robins wins, nine for Uckfield and only one draw.
That was a 2-2 thriller at the Beacon last season in which Jordan Badger bagged a late equaliser on his first appearance for over two years.
It might not be a game to put on your coupon, but it is one which normally delivers goals. 78 having been plundered at an average of nearly four per game.
Last time Hassocks played AFC Uckfield Town
The first Premier Division win of the James Westlake era arrived at the Oaks back in August as the Robins triumphed 2-1 from the short trip along the A272.
Hassocks came flying out of the traps to be 2-0 ahead inside of 12 minutes through Mark Zydonik scoring his first goal for the club and Liam Benson.
James Pass puled one back midway through the first half but that was the end of the scoring – hardly a surprise with both teams tiring on an afternoon when the mercury hit 35 degrees.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 2pm and admission is £7 adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16s. Both card and cash payments are accepted on the turnstiles.
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, along with other alcohol.
Dogs are welcome and a 40 page printed matchday programme will be on sale for £1.
