Robins head to Eastbourne Town for another top six clash
The top six clashes keep coming thick and fast for Hassocks. Following last week’s 5-2 defeat at runaway leaders Crowborough Athletic, the fifth placed Robins travel to sixth placed Eastbourne Town.
Hassocks ended a 17 year wait for victory at the Saffrons on their previous visit back in February. Phil Johnson struck the only goal of the game to give Robins supporters the best possible Valentine’s Day gift.
Repeating those heroics will not be easy. Town have lost only one Southern Combination Premier Division on home soil so far this season – and that came against Crowborough.
If no rain hits the Sunshine Coast over Friday and Saturday to cause a postponement, then an entertaining 90 minutes of football should be in store.
Eastbourne Town this season
The introduction of playoffs for this season seems certain to benefit Eastbourne Town, who have only finished outside the Premier Division top six once since relegation from the Isthmian League in 2014.
As already noted, Jude MacDonald’s side occupy sixth place with nine wins, one draw and three defeats from 13 matches.
What might help Town in their promotion quest is that they have just the league and the Sussex RUR Charity Cup to concentrate on.
They will face Crawley Down Gatwick in the quarter finals of that competition having eliminated Steyning Town in hugely impressive fashion in round three.
Eastbourne Town v Hassocks head-to-head
This is a fixture which Eastbourne Town have tended to enjoy historically. Of the 41 previous matches, Town have won 24 with just 10 Hassocks wins and seven draws along the way.
We say historically, because the Robins are actually unbeaten in the last three matches. That aforementioned 1-0 win on Valentine’s Day at the Saffrons was followed by a 4-1 home victory to complete a first league double over Town since the 2005-06 campaign.
The sides then drew 1-1 on a scorching hot opening weekend of the Southern Combination League season at the Beacon back in July.
Last time Hassocks played Eastbourne Town
A big crowd were left well entertained four months ago under the Mid Sussex sun. Nathan Hover gave Town the lead following 55 pretty even minutes with a goal which helped spark the game into life.
Hassocks equalised shortly after when Harry Summons turned into his own goal from a Joe Bull cross under pressure from Elliott Hanslow.
Both teams had opportunities to win it after that but ultimately, the spoils being shared was the correct result.
How to get to the Saffrons
The normal route from Hassocks to the middle of Eastbourne via the A27 and the A2770, following the road towards Eastbourne town centre.
Turn right into The Goffs just before reaching the main station followed by an immediate left into Southfields Road. That is followed by another right into Dittons Road with the Saffrons on the left at the end of the road.
Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices are £7 adults, £4 concessions with free entry for Under 16s.
