Robins handed away draws in Sussex Senior, RUR and Peter Bentley League Cups
There will be plenty of midweek cup action to come in September with Hassocks discovering their opponents in three knockout competitions.
The draw for the first round of the Sussex Transport Senior Cup took place on Saturday evening, giving the Robins a trip to AFC Uckfield Town.
Hassocks and the Oakmen have met once previously in the competition. It came in the third round in the 2005-06 season, when AFC Uckfield were known as Wealden and playing in Division One of the Southern Combination League.
It ended up being a straightforward victory for the Robins. Two goals from Pat Harding, one from Graham Beveridge and an own goal secured a 4-1.
Hassocks would end up being eliminated from the competition at the quarter final stage after a brave performance at home to Horsham in which their Ryman League opponents needed extra time to progress to the semis.
The Robins will make the short journey along the A272 to the Oaks on Tuesday 12th September, kick off at 7:30pm.
A week later and Hassocks are on the road to Division One outfit Roffey in the second round of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup, again kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Boars set up the tie by eliminating Montpelier Villa on Tuesday night. Hassocks meanwhile progressed when seeing off AFC Varndeanians on penalties at the weekend.
It will be the first time the Robins have faced Roffey in the RUR Cup. The three previous meetings at senior level between the clubs have come in the Premier Division and Peter Bentley League Cup.
Hassocks did a league double last season, winning 7-0 at the Beacon on August Bank Holiday Monday and 2-1 at Bartholomew Way in February.
The second of those Robins victories was harsh on Roffey, who had been much the better side as they eyed up their first win of the campaign.
They led 1-0 until the final six minutes, after which Phil Johnson spared Hassocks blushes with two late goals. Roffey had won that first Peter Bentley Cup clash 5-1 at the Beacon in September 2021.
Tuesday 26th September will see Hassocks enter the Peter Bentley Cup when they face Selsey for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
Despite the two clubs having both been in the Southern Combination League for over 40 years, they have only been paired together once before in the competition.
The Robins ran out 2-0 winners at the High Street Ground in November 2007 thanks to a Mark Sheriff brace.
That game has entered into Hassocks folklore for being the day when Dave John answered a phone call before setting off to say a certain player who will remain anonymous here could not make it as he had been arrested the night before.
James Westlake will be hoping he is not the recipient of similar news when the Robins return to the wonderfully named Seal Bay Stadium in a 7:45pm kick off.
