Crowborough visit the Beacon for the first time since 2016
The last scheduled midweek match of the season at the Beacon will see Hassocks host Crowborough Athletic under the lights in another important game in the race for the top six.
Hassocks and the Crows are separated by one place and three points in the current Southern Combination League Premier Division standings.
A Robins victory would lift the hosts above both Crowborough and Eastbourne United and into sixth place. Three points for the Crows meanwhile will take them past United, Eastbourne Town and Steyning Town and up to fourth.
It will be the first time Crowborough have visited the Beacon since December 2016. The clubs were frequent opponents prior to the Crows sideways move to the South East Counties League in the summer of 2014.
Games between two two were usually packed with entertainment, so fingers crossed for more of the same this time around.
Crowborough Athletic this season
After eight seasons spent in the South East Counties League, Crowborough were moved back to the Southern Combination by the FA in the summer.
With the South East Counties considered a stronger league, the theory went that the Crows could make quite the impression on their return.
They took a little while to warm to the task but since Christmas have been one of the Premier Division’s form teams, leaving a top six finish there for the taking.
Crowborough could also end the campaign with some silverware for the Community Stadium trophy cabinet.
A week ago, they saw off Peacehaven & Telscombe to advance to the Peter Bentley League Cup final, where they will face Newhaven.
Hassocks v Crowborough Athletic head-to-head
Hassocks and Crowborough were regular opponents before the Crows found themselves moved into the Kent-based league.
26 previous matches have resulted in 14 Robins wins, nine Crowborough victories and three draws. Hassocks’ good record was helped by an unbeaten six game spell, including five successive wins between 2010 and 2014 under the management of Mickey Jewell.
Last time Hassocks played Crowborough Athletic
An incredibly entertaining afternoon played out back in October when Hassocks came away with three points from the Crowborough Community Stadium after triumphing in a 3-2 thriller.
Jack Troak and Phil Johnson had the Robins 2-0 ahead inside of 20 minutes, only for John Sinclair and Lucas Murrain to strike twice in the space of eight minutes to level the tie at 2-2.
The scoring was not done there, Liam Benson finding what proved to be the winner on the stroke of half time.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 7:45pm 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 44-page printed programme will be on sale for £1.
