Hassocks head to the Oval to face the best defensive record in the Premier Division
Twice in the space of 72 hours Hassocks will visit Eastbourne with their first trip to the Sunshine Coast taking in high-flying United at the Oval.
Anthony Storey’s side sit fifth in the table having conceded the fewest goals in the Southern Combination League Premier Division this season, shipping just 19 in 24 matches.
The Robins will arrive in good spirits after back-to-back victories to start a frantic February in which they are due to play eight matches.
Six points from six represents an excellent start, Alfold having been beaten 2-0 last weekend at the Beacon.
Hassocks then followed that up with a 2-1 victory at Roffey in midweek thanks to 87th and 94th minute goals from Phil Johnson.
Eastbourne United this season
Former AFC Uckfield Town manager Storey was appointed as United boss following a slow start to the 2021-22 season and there has been no looking back from there really.
United climbed from the fringes of the relegation battle to a final finishing position of fifth, their highest since being crowned champions in 2008-09.
They have continued in that vein this season with 14 wins, five draws and five defeats, and are currently on a run of four successive victories since losing the Eastbourne Derby on Boxing Day 2-1 to Town at the Saffrons.
Included in their impressive recent form was a 1-0 win away at Broadbridge Heath, just the fourth time this season the Bears have tasted Premier Division defeat.
With United 10 points off top spot, a title charge is probably off the cards but they will fancy their chances of bettering last season’s fifth place.
Hassocks v Eastbourne United head-to-head
The Robins just about lead the head-to-head with 18 wins to United’s 14, leaving 13 draws from the 45 meetings between the clubs.
Hassocks’ record is helped hugely by the fact that they seemed to love visiting the Oval in the 2010s. The Robins won on all six visits they made through that decade, despite only finishing above United in the Premier Division standings once in that time.
Such happy times away against United are fast fading to memory with Hassocks’ last three visits ending in defeat – which becomes four if you include a 4-2 loss to Little Common when Common ground shared at the Oval.
Last time Hassocks played Eastbourne United
It was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws you will see as both sides racked up and missed a glut of opportunities to come away with three points.
The Robins felt they should have been awarded a sixth minute penalty when Leon Turner was scythed down which could have led to a very different afternoon but ultimately the spoils being shared was the right result.
How to get to the Oval
Take the A27 to Eastbourne, joining the A22 when you reach the Sunshine Coast. Follow that until you reach the second roundabout, turning left onto Lottbridge Drove.
Turn right onto the A259 when you hit the roundabout by Homebase, then turn right into Channel View Road with the Oval a little further down on the right.
Kick off is at 3pm. Admission prices are £7 adults, £4 concessions and under 16s accompanied by an adult go free.
