Robins challenge for a playoff place enters the penultimate month of the campaign
The penultimate month of the Southern Combination League season arrives with Hassocks still in the midst of their unlikely push for a playoff place.
That means every game is massive from this point on, with the Robins facing four big fixtures through March.
First up comes one of the longest away journeys of the season when Hassocks head to the far west of Sussex to take on Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday 2nd March.
The Robins will need to fare better than their previous visit to the Rotherfield last December. A 5-0 hammering remains the biggest defeat Hassocks have suffered under James Westlake.
A week later and fellow promotion candidates Eastbourne United come to the Beacon. United have lost only three times this season and possess the second best defensive record in the Premier Division.
Kick off is at 2pm on Saturday 9th March in a fixture would could have a huge bearing in the race for the top five.
Hassocks have a week off on Saturday 16th March, followed by last season’s runners up Crawley Down Gatwick visiting on Saturday 23rd at 2pm.
The game against Down falls on Non League Day 2024, so keep your eyes peeled for information on how the Robins will be marking it.
March is rounded off with a trip to Horsham YMCA on Saturday 30th. Hassocks have traditionally found the Herbert Direct Stadium a tough place to go, although two victories from the past three visits suggests the tide may be turning.
The Under 23s kick off their month with a Mid Sussex Derby against St Francis Rangers at the Beacon on Thursday 7th March.
They then face North Division fixtures away at Roffey on Thursday 14th and at home to Steyning Town on Thursday 28th.
Sandwiched between those two is a home tie in the League Cup on Thursday 21st when Horley Town visit the Beacon.
The Under 18s have four matches set for March. Sunday 3rd March sees the Young Robins host Saltdean United at 11am. A week later and it is a trip to Lancing for a slightly earlier kick off time of 10.30am at Culver Road.
There is a local derby to look forward to when Haywards Heah Town visit the Beacon on Sunday 17th, followed by a mouth watering top-of-the-table clash with unbeaten Burgess Hill Town on Sunday 31st.
That meeting with the Hillians is likely to go a long way to deciding who are crowned Central Division champions.
The Ladies play twice in March with both games at the Beacon, kicking off at 2pm and offering free admission. Bromley are the visitors on Sunday 10th followed by Steyning Town on Sunday 24th.
The Veterans meanwhile are now competing in the Mid Sussex League Plate after completing their East Division fixtures.
Steve Spies’ side are set to face Roffey Hills Farm on Sunday 10th before travelling to Jarvis Brook on Sunday 24th, although as with all things Veterans these games are likely to change at late notice.
