Robins face reunion with plenty of familiar faces at Saltdean
After back-to-back home matches, Hassocks hit the road with an away game against Saltdean United and a reunion with plenty of familiar faces.
The Robins will face their former head coach Brad Sweetman and a number of ex-players who followed him to Hill Park in the summer.
It will be the third meeting of the season between the sides. Hassocks won the Premier Division clash at the Beacon back in November following a 2-2 draw in the Sussex Senior Cup a month earlier.
The Robins progressed on penalties but Sweetman and co had every right to feel aggrieved by that outcome as it looked like Saltdean were deservedly heading through until Phil Johnson snatched an equaliser late in the day.
Saltdean United this season
Having finished Premier Division runners up to Littlehampton Town last season, manager Bryan O’Toole and his entire squad left Hill Park at the end of the campaign to leave Saltdean facing a challenging rebuild.
The man tasked with the charge was Sweetman following the end of his five year association with Hassocks. He took a number of the young players who had done such a sterling job of keeping the Robins in the top flight with him.
After such turmoil, avoiding the bottom two was the aim for the Tigers in 2022-23 and they have managed that so far, although the improving form of Alfold and Loxwood will be a cause for concern.
Loxwood recently overhauled Saltdean, moving two points clear and with two games in hand. That leaves the Tigers in 18th spot with two points separating them from Alfold and the relegation zone.
Hassocks v Saltdean United head-to-head
Hassocks have faced Saltdean on 33 occasions in the past, winning 13. The Tigers have 15 victories to their name, leaving just five draws. Three of those stalemates have come in the past five meetings.
This was a fixture the Robins used to dominate during the early 90s, winning six times in Division One and scoring 19 goals along the way.
That has not been the case in recent seasons; November’s win was Hassocks’ first since the Tigers won promotion back to the Premier Division in 2017.
Last time Hassocks played Saltdean United
The Robins ran riot, scoring five times in the space of 24 first half minutes on their way to a 5-1 victory.
Pat Harding got the party started with tall striker Jamie Wilkes, Liam Benson, an own goal and Alex Bygraves adding to the rout before the half hour mark.
With the game over before the interval, Hassocks took their foot off the pedal in a second half which Saltdean won 1-0.
Mitch Hewens scored the only goal in 45 minutes of football which was a stark contrast to what had gone before.
How to get to Hill Park
Take the A259 coast road towards Eastbourne from Brighton. Immediately before Saltdean Lido, take a left into Arundel Drive, following it around the park and up into the Saltdean estate.
Hill Park is at the end of the road. There is very limited parking at the ground. Supporters who park in Westfield Avenue, Coombe Vale, Tumulus Road and Saltdean Vale are asked to leave plenty of space for buses to pass.
Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices are £5 adults, £3 concessions with free entry for under 16s.
