Quarter final place up for grabs as Hassocks face Division One leaders
A place in the quarter finals of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup is for grabs when Hassocks head to Bartholomew Way to take on Roffey at the Theatre of Tress.
The fixture kicks off a run of three consecutive matches on the road in knockout competitions for the Robins.
On Saturday, attention switches to FA Vase action away against Combined Counties Premier outfit Sheerwater before a trip to Selsey in the Peter Bentley League Cup next Tuesday.
With Hassocks flying high in third spot in the Southern Combination Premier Division standings, the Robins will be hoping that their cup form can match their league performances to deliver extended runs in all three competitions.
Roffey this season
Roffey are back in Division One after their debut Premier Division campaign last time out did not go according to plan.
The Boars were winless until mid-February and despite their form being much improved after getting the monkey of a first league victory off their backs, they were not quite able to claw together enough points to survive.
What Roffey have done is keep together the squad they had in the second half of the campaign, who got them far closer to a great escape from relegation than anyone thought possible.
As a result, the Boars lead Division One with six wins, one draw and one defeat from eight matches. They also held Hassocks’ fellow Premier Division outfit Saltdean United to a draw in the Sussex Senior Cup.
Roffey v Hassocks head-to-head
There have been just three competitive games between the Robins and Roffey. The Boars won 5-1 at the Beacon in the Peter Bentley Cup in September 2021, a result that did not come as a great surprise even though Roffey were a division below Hassocks at the time.
Last season’s August Bank Holiday meeting saw the Robins run out 7-0 winners at the Beacon before a dramatic 2-1 win at Bartholomew Way in February to complete a league double.
Last time Hassocks played Roffey
Roffey were yet to win a Premier Division game when the Robins rocked up at the Theatre of Trees seven months ago.
The Boars deserved to end their drought that evening though, leading 1-0 as late as the 88th minute despite playing for most of the second half with only 10 men.
That was until Phil Johnson broke home hearts, rescuing Hassocks with two goals right at the death to secure a totally underserved three points for the Robins.
How to get to Bartholomew Way
It is quite a straightforward journey to the Theatre of Trees; take the A23 to the Pease Pottage turnoff and then follow the A264 towards Horsham.
At the fourth roundabout for Rusper, take the first exit onto Rusper Road for Roffey. Turn left at the next roundabout onto Lemmington Way and another left when you reach the end of the road to join Bartholomew Way. The ground is at the end of the road.
Kick off is at 7:30pm but providing the weather is fine, it is well worth getting their early to enjoy a beer in the famous woodland terrace.
