Hassocks return to Premier Division action after three consecutive cup matches
It is back to the bread and butter of Southern Combination Premier Division football for Hassocks with a trip to Little Common following three consecutive cup matches, all also on the road.
The Robins were eliminated from the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup by Roffey but bounced back with two impressive victories, beating Sheerwater 5-4 in the FA Vase and then hammering Selsey 5-1 in the Peter Bentley Cup.
Despite not having played a league game for a fortnight, Hassocks remain fourth in the table. Common are just two points below the Robins, meaning Hassocks can expect another tough examination against opponents who did the double over them last season.
Little Common this season
Not much separated the Robins and Common last season, when Hassocks finished 10th and their weekend hosts were one place and two points behind in 11th.
It is a similar story in the current campaign, as already noted. Common have won five, drawn two and lost three of their 10 matches.
Their most impressive result so far was a 3-2 win over early Premier Division leaders Crowborough Athletic, whilst Common also remain in both the RUR and Peter Bentley League Cups.
In the latter of those competitions, they secured safe passage by beating local rivals Bexhill United 3-2 at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday night.
That result will give long-serving manager Russell Eldridge and his players a lot of confidence coming into the visit of the Robins.
Little Common v Hassocks head-to-head
The two sides have met on 19 previous occasions. Hassocks have won five and Little Common eight, leaving six draws.
Most of those matches took place in Division One during the later 1980s and early 1990s. Worryingly for the Robins, they are yet to taste victory in the six Premier Division fixtures which have played since Common won promotion to the top flight in 2018.
Last time Hassocks played Little Common
Hassocks had won four games out of four through February but their winning run came to an end when Common visited the Beacon.
Sam Ellis put the visitors ahead with seven minutes played, after which it was all Hassocks. An astonishing number of chances went begging over the remainder of the match, with the Robins having just a Phil Johnson equaliser on the hour mark to show for their efforts.
Still, that looked like it would secure a point until the 10th minute of injury time when Sam Cruttwell drilled a free kick beneath a jumping wall and into the bottom corner to give Common a 2-1 success.
How to get to Little Common Recreation Ground
Take the A27 to the east of the county, passing Eastbourne and then joining the A259. When approaching Bexhill, you will enter Little Common and arrive at a large roundabout with the Wheatsheaf pub on your left.
Take the second exit onto Peartree Lane. After passing Ocklynge Close on the left, take the next right onto Green Lane and the Recreation Ground is on your immediate right.
Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions and free for Under 16s,
