Third meets fourth with free-scoring Steyning the visitors to the Beacon
The big games in the battle for a top five finish keep coming. This weekend, it is third place Hassocks against fourth place Steyning Town at the Beacon in a game which promises goals.
Kevin Green’s Barrowmen are the top scorers in the Southern Combination Premier so far this season, having plundered 83 from their 29 matches.
That gives the Barrowmen not one, not two, not three, not four but five players riding high in the top 10 scorers chart for the division.
Hassocks themselves have been none too shabby in front of goal. The Robins’ haul of 67 is bettered by only Steyning, Newhaven and Haywards Heath Town.
These two attack-minded times have already shared five goals at the Birchwood Ground earlier in the campaign.
Hassocks just about edged out the Barrowmen 3-2 on that occasion, and more entertainment seems certain ahead of the return match.
Steyning Town this season
Steyning did not lose a Premier Division match until November, marking themselves out as one of the main contenders in the title race.
As already noted, they have scored more goals than anyone else whilst their total of four defeats is the third-least after Newhaven and Eastbourne United.
Even more impressive than the Barrowmen’s league form has been their achievements in knockout competitions.
Steyning have eliminated both Brighton Under 21s and Burgess Hill Town from the Sussex Transport Senior Cup and now stand just a semi against Horsham away from becoming the first Southern Combination League side to reach the final in nearly 30 years.
In the FA Cup, the Barrowmen went all the way to the second qualifying round where they faced Maidstone United.
Over 1,100 people packed the Birchwood Ground to see the Barrowmen take on a Stones side who are still in the competition seven rounds and five months later, having eliminated Barrow, Stevenage and Ipswich Town since.
Then there is the Peter Bentley League Cup. Steyning are also semi finalists in that competition after knocking out Newhaven in the last eight. What odds on a league and cup double come the end of the campaign?
Hassocks v Steyning Town head-to-head
There have only been 17 meetings between the sides, thanks largely to Steyning spending much of the 1990s in the Wessex League.
Seven of those matches have taken place in the Premier Division, four in Division One, four in the Sussex Senior Cup and two in the RUR Cup. The head-to-head reads eight Hassocks wins, four Steyning victories and five draws.
Last time Hassocks played Steyning Town
Probably the most impressive result of the season for Hassocks so far came when the Robins won 3-2 at the Birchwood Ground in November.
17-year-old Josh Nandhra marked his full debut with the opening goal on 18 minutes and the lead was doubled by Super Pat Harding on 29.
Sam Remfry and Jack Williamson hauled the Barrowmen level before Alex Bygraves found what proved to be the winner in the 70th minute.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 3pm 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.
