Robins welcome Eastbourne Town to the Beacon looking to secure a top 10 finish
The final day of the 2022-23 Southern Combination League Premier Division season is upon us and Hassocks have plenty to play for as they welcome Eastbourne Town to the Beacon.
Three points for the Robins will secure a top 10 finish for the first time since the 2013-14 season and represent an excellent first campaign under James Westlake.
A draw will also be enough should Little Common not win by four clear goals in their home game against AFC Uckfield Town. If Common draw or lose to the Oakmen, Hassocks will finish 10th regardless of what happens at the Beacon.
Town meanwhile are fighting a three-way battle for seventh with Bexhill United and Peacehaven & Telscombe. Jude MacDonald’s side are on 66 points and with a superior goal difference to Bexhill, who are also on 66.
Peacehaven are one back on 65. It is fair to assume there will be plenty of twists and turns to come during the last 90 minutes of the campaign.
Eastbourne Town this season
The 2022-23 season has been one of change at Eastbourne Town. With that in mind, they can be relatively pleased with a guaranteed top nine finish.
Long serving manager John Lambert stood down last summer, replaced by former Whitehawk boss MacDonald.
Under Lambert, Town had always been notoriously slow starters to the season before finding rhythm from autumn onwards.
It was a similar story this time around. When Hassocks were due to visit the Saffrons for the first Premier Division clash between the sides back in November, Town were 14th.
By the time that game did eventually take place on Valentine’s Day following three postponements, they had risen to fourth via a run of just three defeats in 23 matches in all competitions.
Town’s form has dropped off in the past month, but that will not stop them being dangerous opponents – especially as they will be out for revenge following defeat to Hassocks back in February.
Hassocks v Eastbourne Town head-to-head
It is a fixture which Eastbourne Town tend to enjoy. Of the 40 previous matches, Town have won 24 with just 10 Hassocks victories and six draws along the way.
Of those 10 fixtures the Robins have won, only two have come in the past 16 years. Phil Gault scored twice in a shock 2-1 win at the Beacon towards the end of the 2016-17 season followed by the Valentine’s Day trip to the Saffrons…
Last time Hassocks played Eastbourne Town
Phil Johnson scored the only goal of the game on a memorable evening as the Robins returned from Eastbourne Town with three points for the first time since 2006.
Johnson struck early in the second half following beautiful link up play between wide men Alfie Loversidge and Leon Turner.
The Hassocks defence then held firm in the face of a lot of pressure for a deserved and rare victory at the Saffrons.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 3:00pm 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 48 page printed programme will be on sale for £1.
