Vs make their second trip of the season to the Beacon for Premier Division clash
With most of September spent on the road, Hassocks will play their one and only home game of the month against familiar foes AFC Varndeanians in Southern Combination Premier Division action.
Having never faced each other in a competitive fixture at senior level before October 2021, this will be the seventh meeting in less than two years between the clubs.
As well as their Premier Division clashes, the Robins and Varndeanians have found themselves paired together in both the Peter Bentley League Cup and the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup in recent seasons.
And it is not just through facing off on the pitch that the teams are well known to each other. Several players switched between the clubs in the summer, with Hassocks signing Kyle Woolven and Matt Gunn from Vs.
Going the other way, Sam Rogers and Jude Wallis moved to Withdean Stadium after being integral parts of the Robins’ title winning Under 23s side last season.
AFC Varndeanians last season
Varndeanians arrive in Mid Sussex in 19th spot in the Premier Division table with one win and one draw to their name from nine matches so far.
That solitary win was an impressive one, coming against Bexhill United. Wallis opened the scoring before another ex-Robins in Charlie Tuck provided an 89th minute winner.
The Vs of course have history for making slow starts. In the 2021-22 campaign, they failed to win any of their opening 25 matches in all competitions.
Despite being rock bottom in a seemingly hopeless position at Christmas, a stunning second half of the season saw them pick up enough points to overhaul both East Preston and Loxwood and finish clear of the bottom two.
Hassocks v AFC Varndeanians head-to-head
Hassocks lead the head-to-head with three wins compared to Varndeanians two. The Robins completed a league double last season, winning 2-0 at the Beacon and 3-0 at Withdean.
Their other win came in the first ever meeting, Alfie Loversidge taking all the headlines with a sensational hat-trick in a 4-1 success for the Robins
Varndeanians gained revenged with a 2-0 victory in the return fixture four months later. The Vs also eliminated Hassocks from the Peter Bentley Cup a year ago, winning 2-0 at the Beacon.
One game between the clubs has ended level, when Varndeanians visited the Beacon four weeks ago in the RUR Cup.
Last time Hassocks played AFC Varndeanians
Penalties were needed to separate Hassocks and Varndeanians after 90 goalless minutes. Fraser Trigwell proved to be the Robins hero, saving two Vs spot kicks to send his side through to a second round meeting away at Roffey.
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.
