Hassocks head west to take on Hurst at Jubilee Fields
After last week’s trip to Peckham Town and all the questionable Only Fools & Horses puns that came with it, Hassocks face opponents in their second pre-season friendly about who there are no obvious jokes to make. Thank God, you probably cry.
Southern Combination League Division One side Billingshurst are the hosts, a club the Robins have rarely played in the past.
There has been just one competitive meeting to date. That came in the second round of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup in the 2016-17 season, Hassocks running out 3-0 winners at the Beacon.
Michael Death notched twice and Nathan Miles once but the full time score only told half the story. Both sides had a goal disallowed, Death managed to miss two penalties, there were seven bookings and two Hurst players saw red.
If proceedings at Jubilee Fields this time around are half as entertaining, anyone making the trip along the A272 is in for a treat. Just minus all the cards, hopefully.
Billingshurst come into the new campaign looking to build on their best ever season in 2022-23. They finished eighth in Division One, their highest placing in the Southern Combination League.
Hurst entered the Southern Combination for the 2012-13 campaign, winning promotion to Division Two from the West Sussex League where they had spent most of the previous 121 years.
After three seasons, Billingshurst found themselves elevated to Division One. They have remained there ever since, first consolidating and now breaking into the top half of the table.
Hurst will therefore provide a good test for Hassocks, who got off the mark with a 4-1 win in their trip to Peckham. At the same time, Billingshurst went down 2-0 against Mid Sussex Premier Division side Reigate Priory.
For any Hassocks fans looking to make the journey to Jubilee Fields, it is relatively straightforward. Follow the A272 towards the west of the county, passing around Billingshurst until Platts roundabout where the road splits from the A29.
Take the third exit to continue on the A272 and the entrance to Jubilee Fields is immediately on your right. Billingshurst train station is a 26 minute walk away from anyone travelling via rail.
Kick off is at 3pm. And the good/bad news is that Hassocks’ next friendly opponents on Monday night are Epsom & Ewell. The Robins will have to be at the races for that one, etc, etc.
