Hassocks head to Bedfont Sports as the road to Wembley continues
For the first time in nine years, Hassocks will take to the field in the first round proper of the Isuzu FA Vase with a trip to Combined Counties Premier Division North side Bedfont Sports.
The Robins last made it this far in the competition back in 2014. Two goals from Phil Johnson and one from Nathan Miles secured a 3-1 win over Corinthian.
That gave Hassocks the opportunity to make it to the third round for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, a 7-0 home defeat meant the second round remains the furthest the Robins have gone.
Those making the trip to Bedfont Recreation Ground will be hoping for a game as entertaining as the one Hassocks put on away at Sheerwater last month at the second qualifying stage.
The Robins led 3-0 and 4-1 at various points, only for the Sheers to keep coming back. Penalties were looming large until Lewis Westlake scored from 35 yards in the final five minutes to win a chaotic encounter 5-4.
Who are Bedfont Sports?
Bedfont Sports are based in Feltham, just a stones throw from the southern runway at Heathrow Airport. This makes them a popular visit for both groundhoppers and plane spotters.
The Eagles were only formed in 2002 to provide a Saturday side for the existing Bedfont Sunday League Club.
Their growth since then has been spectacular as they have rattled through the Hounslow & District League, the Middlesex County League and the Combined Counties League, winning promotion to the Isthmian League in 2018 – just 16 years into their existence.
Bedfont were relegated back into the Combined Counties at the end of last season in the only setback so far in what has otherwise been a remarkable journey through the football pyramid.
Bedfont Sports this season
The Eagles will be hoping for an immediate return to step four and have themselves decently positioned at this early stage in the season.
They sit sixth in the table with fives wins, three draws and two defeats from 10 matches. That leaves them three points off a playoff spot with a game in hand and 10 behind leaders Rayners Lane having played two less matches.
Bedfont Sports v Hassocks head-to-head
Hassocks and Bedfont have met just once before in the preliminary round of the FA Cup back in September 2020.
The Eagles were an Isthmian club at the time and their superior quality told as they ran out 3-1 winners at the Recreation Ground.
Jordan Espirit scored twice for Sports along with Darryl Sanders. The Hassocks consolation came via Charlie Pitcher.
How to get to Bedfont Recreation Ground
Bedfont Recreation Ground is a smart little venue with a 4G pitch which holds 3,000 people. To get there, take the M23 followed by the M25 towards the M4, leaving at junction 13.
From there, join the A30 before taking London Road at the Ashford Park roundabout. At the end of London Road, head across the roundabout onto Staines Road, take a left onto Hatton Road and the ground is some way up on your right.
