Robins face a stern test against title chasing Dockers
Non-League Day 2023 is here and it is going to be a big afternoon both on and off the pitch at the Beacon.
Firstly, Hassocks are using their Southern Combination League Premier Division clash with Newhaven to support the Hassocks Community Food Bank.
Reduced admission prices of £4 adults and £2 concessions are in place for anyone who brings along an item for donation.
The Food Bank are currently short of sugar, microwave puddings, oil, sweetcorn, clothes washing liquid, soup, toothbrushes and ketchup.
Then comes the football, where Hassocks will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches. That will not be easy against a Newhaven side embroiled in a three-way fight with Broadbridge Heath and Crawley Down Gatwick for the Southern Combination title.
Both sides are in flying form and scoring a lot of goals. Everything looks set for a fantastic 90 minutes of football, and hopefully lots of donations to support those in need in the village.
Newhaven this season
Newhaven were within one game of promotion to the Isthmian League in 2021-22, losing the promotion/ relegation playoff to Lancing at the end of April.
Their aim this season has to be winning the title and the automatic promotion to step four which comes with it.
The Dockers made a bit of a slow start -understandable if they were suffering a hangover from last season’s exertion – but have been slowly creeping into championship contention since the beginning of October.
They hit top spot for the first time last month and are currently second, two points behind Broadbridge Heath. The next four weeks looks like being one of the closest Southern Combination title races for some time.
If Newhaven do manage to beat Heath and Crawley Down to the championship, then there remains the tantalising prospect of ending the campaign with a double.
The Dockers saw off Loxwood in the semi finals of the Peter Bentley League Cup on Tuesday night and will now face Crowborough Athletic looking to lift the trophy for the first time since 2015.
Hassocks v Newhaven head-to-head
Hassocks fans probably feel like they have been playing against Newhaven forever, but the reality is there have been just 20 meetings between the clubs.
The fixture only became a regular staple when the Dockers won promotion to the Premier Division in 2013. It feels like such a drag because of the Robins’ terrible record.
Hassocks have won just two of the 16 meetings since Newhaven returned to the top flight. The Dockers have scored 49 goals in that time at an average of more than three per game.
That feeds into an overall head-to-head of 10 Newhaven wins, six draws and four Hassocks victories from 20 matches.
Last time Hassocks played Newhaven
Hassocks went to Newhaven on Halloween weekend and although it was not a horror show, a 24th minute red card for the Dockers’ Ballie Rogers meant a 2-0 defeat at the Trafalgar Ground had to go down as a missed opportunity.
The score was 0-0 when Rogers headed for his very early bath but the Robins were unable to take advantage of it.
Instead, goals from Alfie Rogers and Lee Robinson with his annual strike against the Robins condemned Hassocks to defeat.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 2:00pm and admission is £7 adults and £3 concessions at full price. For anyone bringing an item for the Food Bank, it is £4 adults and £2 concessions. All under 16s are free. 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 44-page printed programme will be on sale for £1.
