Robins face tough test away against fellow playoff hopefuls Peacehaven & Telscombe
A run of three big matches to finish off February against clubs in the top eight of the Southern Combination Premier Division gets underway with Hassocks making the trip to Peacehaven & Telscombe.
Facing the eighth placed Tye will be a huge test for the Robins and a big afternoon in the battle for a playoff place.
Hassocks have won only once in the league at the Window Workshop Sports Park since 2000. Not only would victory on the south coast end that barren run, but it would also equal a club-record in senior football of seven successive wins.
The Robins made it six in a row on Tuesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 success over Little Common despite playing the final 30 minutes with only 10 men.
It was an impressive display full of grit, determination and spirit from Hassocks. More of the same will be needed to keep the winning sequence going against a strong Peacehaven outfit.
Peacehaven & Telscombe this season
Peacehaven garnered a reputation as cup specialists in 2022-23. They embarked on a memorable run to the last eight of the FA Vase, drawing a crowd of 1,253 to the Sports Park for a cruel penalty shootout exit to Corsham Town.
They also reached the semi finals of the Peter Bentley League Cup and lifted the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
The challenge for Mark Shutt and his players coming into the current campaign was to take their knockout form and apply it consistently over a Premier Division season.
They have managed that to a point, sitting in eighth place with 13 wins, six draws and seven defeats from 26 matches.
Peacehaven & Telscombe v Hassocks head-to-head
It is not a fixture which has brought the Robins much joy through the years. Peacehaven have won 22 of the 42 meetings with nine Hassocks victories and 10 draws.
That record becomes even worse at the Sports Park. The Robins have won just once from their 13 most recent visits in all competitions and as already mentioned, have a single league victory to their name this century from trips to Peacehaven.
Said victory came in the 2011-12 season, when Hassocks secured the highest finish in their history of fourth in the Southern Combination Premier.
Goals from Phil Gault, Nathan Miles and current Robins head coach James Westlake secured a superb 3-0 success for Mickey Jewell’s side.
Last time Hassocks played Peacehaven & Telscombe
Two goals in the space of five second half minutes secured a 2-0 win for Hassocks over the Tye at the Beacon in November.
There were incredible scenes all round when Bradley Tighe opened the scoring, finally getting his first goal in Hassocks colours in his 192nd appearance.
Jamie Wilkes then added the second four minutes later for one of the most impressive victories of the season so far.
How to get to the Window Workshop Sports Park
Head to Brighton and hit the A259, making your way through Peacehaven. Just after the Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church on your left comes Piddinghoe Avenue, with the ground being situated at the end of the road.
Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices are £8 adults, £4 concessions with free entry for under 16s.
