Hassocks remain in the thick of the playoff race with only April to play
The final month of the 2023-24 Southern Combination League season is almost upon us and despite all the predictions Hassocks would fall away from the playoff picture at some point, the Robins remain in the thick of the top five race.
That leaves five cup finals through April – and they do not come much bigger than the game which kicks off the month, an Easter Monday Mid Sussex Derby at Haywards Heath Town.
The Robins have not defeated Heath in any form of competitive fixture since winning 2-0 in the 1992-93 Division One season.
October’s Peter Bentley Cup third round clash ended in a 2-2 draw followed by the Bluebells winning on penalties. Heath then edged a five-goal thriller at the Beacon on Boxing Day in front of a crowd of over 500.
James Westlake and the Class of 2024 will aim to end that barren run against the Bluebells in an 11am kick off at the Home Smart Energy Stadium.
Five days later and the Beacon plays host to its penultimate Premier Division game of the campaign with Bexhill United the visitors.
Hassocks pillaged a point from the Pirates in the reverse fixture at the Polegrove back in December, when 88th and 95th minute goals from tall striker Jamie Wilkes and Josh Mundy respectively rescued a 2-2 draw.
The Robins then travel to relegation threatened Saltdean United on Saturday 13th April before the final game of the campaign at home against Newhaven on Saturday 27th.
With the Dockers very much in title contention, it has the potential to be one of the biggest afternoons ever seen at the Beacon. Nothing could separate the sides when they drew 1-1 at the Trafalgar Ground back in October.
It is not just the first team who are in for a dramatic end to the campaign, of course. Up to four teams have eyes on the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division title, including Hassocks looking to retain the crown.
The Under 23s have been particularly hampered by the weather, playing just four matches since the end of November.
That makes for a jam-packed finish to the campaign, starting with a top-of-the-table clash at the Beacon against Broadbridge Heath on Thursday 4th April.
The Robins then host Oakwood on Thursday 11th before three consecutive away games at Horsham YMCA on Thursday 18th, Horley Town on Thursday 25th and finally, Roffey on Thursday 2nd May.
The Under 18s are also in title contention, hoping to take the championship ahead of a Burgess Hill Town side who still hold a 100% record this late in the campaign.
Sunday 31st March is a potentially pivotal game as the Young Robins visit the Hillians in an 11am kick off.
That is then followed by matches away at Shoreham on Sunday 7th April and home to Haywards Heath Town on Sunday 21st, both also at 11am.
The Ladies currently have only one April game scheduled as their London & South East Regional Women’s League Division One South season comes to a close. They visit Bognor Regis Town on Sunday 7th April, kicking off at 2pm.
