12 goals in two games last season between Hassocks and Midhurst & Easebourne
Hassocks return to Southern Combination Premier Division action against Midhurst & Easebourne at the Beacon with last season’s two league fixtures between the two producing 12 goals.
The August clash in Mid Sussex saw the Stags make the long journey home with three points via a 4-3 victory.
All the goals remarkably came in the first half. Were it not for the woodwork and some inspired goalkeeping, the scoreline could have become even more ridiculous.
The reverse fixture at the Rotherfield in December saw another five goals scored. Unfortunately from a Hassocks point of view, all were plundered by the hosts as the Robins suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign.
With Hassocks’ four league matches so far involving 13 goals and Midhurst’s containing 16, it seems likely the high scoring will continue in this latest meeting.
Midhurst & Easebourne last season
It was a 2022-23 season of two halves for Midhurst on their return to the Premier Division after a 30 year absence.
All of their nine victories came in their opening 19 matches, meaning their primary target of avoiding an immediate return to Division One was assured before Christmas.
The Stags 5-0 win over Hassocks proved to be their last league victory of the campaign, in contrast to the Robins who used the motivation from their humbling at the Rotherfield to push for a top 10 finish.
Midhurst have won one, drawn two and lost one in the Premier Division so far in the current season.
Their cup form has been impressive, eliminating Southern Counties East side Holmesdale from the FA Cup away from home and beating Loxwood in the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
Hassocks v Midhurst & Easebourne head-to-head
There have been 10 previous games between Hassocks and Midhurst with five wins apiece. And it is not just in recent times which goals have been guaranteed.
Big victories for the Robins in the fixture come from the 1993-94 Division One season, when Hassocks were 6-0 winners at the Beacon and 6-1 winners at the Rotherfield.
Last time Hassocks played Midhurst & Easebourne
Sorry, it is that 5-0 defeat away from home in December again. What made the result even
more bizarre is that just one week earlier, Hassocks had put five goals past Saltdean United in 30 minutes at the Beacon.
Midhurst were 3-0 ahead and absolutely cruising going into half time through two Harry Tremlett goals and one from Dan Wood.
Robins goalkeeper Alex Harris went off with a toe injury at the interval, leaving defender Will Broomfield to guard the net during a second half in which Tremlett added two more to finish his day with four of Midhurst’s five goals.
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 printed programme will be on sale for £1.
If using Google Maps to walk from Hassocks Station or the village, please do not take the footpath into Butcher’s Wood. There is no crossing point over the railway line or way of entering the Beacon.
Instead, follow Keymer Road towards Hurstpierpoint, turn left at Stonepound crossroads and walk down London Road towards the ground.
