Last season’s 10th hosts last season’s ninth on opening day of new campaign
Summer? What summer? Pre-season is done and the 2023-24 Southern Combination League campaign is upon us with Hassocks kicking off against Eastbourne Town at the Beacon.
Three points and one place separated the Robins from Town at the end of last season. Both clubs have lost some players at the same time as recruiting smartly, making it a tough opening game to call.
Four new signings could make their Hassocks debuts. Kyle Woolven and Matt Gunn have arrived from AFC Varndeanians, and Elliott Hanslow and Josh Mundy from Three Bridges.
James Westlake has also brought Ben Bacon back to Hassocks for a third spell. Bacon re-joins from Horsham YMCA.
There will be some other differences around the Beacon. New artwork has gone into the Clubhouse and dugouts whilst admission prices have unfortunately had to rise to cover increased energy costs.
Hopefully, the extra £1 on adult entry will be matched by another entertaining campaign on the pitch, stating from the first whistle on Saturday.
Eastbourne Town last season
The 2022-23 campaign was one of change at Eastbourne Town. Jude MacDonald took over from long-serving boss John Lambert, delivering a top 10 finish represented which provides a solid foundation for 2023-24.
Town were traditionally slow starters to seasons under Lambert, normally taking until the autumn to get up and running before making a late charge into the promotion picture.
It was a similar story last time out under MacDonald. Hassocks had originally been due to visit the Saffrons in November, when Town sat 14th in the Premier Division standings.
By the time the game eventually took place two postponements later on February 14th, Town had risen to fifth following a superb run of only three defeats in 23 matches.
If Town can buck the trend and get off to a good start this time around – combined with their normal impressive run of results later in the campaign – then they will fancy their chances of significantly improving on last year’s ninth place finish.
Hassocks v Eastbourne Town head-to-head
It is a fixture which Eastbourne Town tend to enjoy. Of 42 previous matches, Town have won 25. There have been six draws and just 11 Hassocks victories.
Two of those wins for the Robins came last season as Westlake oversaw a first league double over Town since the 2005-06 campaign.
Phil Johnson scored the only goal of the game at the Saffrons on Valentine’s Day, followed by a superb 4-1 final day victory at the Beacon.
Last time Hassocks played Eastbourne Town
Neither side was willing to take their foot off the pedal and slow down early at the end of the 2022-23 campaign with the last three minutes of the Premier Division season resulting in three goals being scored.
Hassocks led 2-0 through Super Pat Harding and Jack Troak when the game entered first half stoppage time.
Leon Turner made it 3-0 on 90 minutes, Callum Barlow pulled one back on 92 before Alex Brewer notched his first senior goal with 93 on the clock to make it 4-1. The three points ensured that Hassocks secured their first top 10 finish in nine years.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 3:00pm and admission is £8 adults, £4 concessions and free for under 16s. Both card and cash payments are accepted on the turnstiles and in the Clubhouse.
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 40 page printed programme will be on sale for £1.
