Robins face Saltdean side fighting for Premier Division survival
The final two matches of the 2023-24 Southern Combination Premier Division season are here and Hassocks now know where they stand in terms of the playoff race.
Victories in both their remaining fixtures will guarantee a top five spot after Haywards Heath Town were beaten 1-0 by Newhaven on Tuesday night.
Achieving six points from six will be easier said than done. The Robins still have to welcome Newhaven to the Beacon on the final day, when the Dockers could well need a win themselves to clinch the title.
Even before that, Hassocks must overcome the potential banana skin of a trip to Saltdean United this coming weekend.
The Tigers are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, two points adrift of safety. Saltdean very much need to win if they are to overhaul AFC Varndeanians and avoid relegation, meaning they will be dangerous opponents for the Robins to face with so much on the line.
Saltdean United this season
Having survived relegation last season with a late rally after replacing our former head coach Brad Sweetman, Saltdean appointed Newhaven Under 21s manager Kieran Ridley as their new manager in the summer.
Ridley brought several of his talented Dockers squad with him to Hill Park and although they have managed some eye catching victories, results have been inconsistent as they tend to be with young teams.
That has left the Tigers occupying the second relegation spot, two points adrift of Varndeanians and four behind Bexhill United.
Progress is being made off the pitch, however, with work expected to start soon on transforming Hill Park with the installation of a 3G pitch and a brand new Clubhouse.
The development will give Saltdean one of the best facilities in the Southern Combination League, setting them up well for the future.
Saltdean United v Hassocks head-to-head
Hassocks and Saltdean have faced off on 35 occasions in the past, the majority of which came during the late 1990s when the Tigers were one of the most formidable non-league sides in Sussex.
Despite that, the head-to-head is actually very even. Both sides have 15 wins to their name, leaving only five draws.
Three of those stalemates have come in the past seven meetings, whilst the three most recent clashes have ended in victory for the Robins.
Last time Hassocks played Saltdean United
Three goals in the space of five second half minutes saw Hassocks to a comfortable 4-0 victory in the previous meeting at the Beacon back in November.
A Kyle Woolven penalty gave the Robins the lead going into half time, followed by Mike Williamson notching with 64 on the clock and a quickfire brace from Super Pat Harding in the 66th and 69th minutes.
Woolven is now a Tigers player, one of several ex-Robins at Hill Park. Others include Arthur Rawlingson, Alfie Edmeads, Lucas Tyrrell and George Mitchell-Phillips.
How to get to the Hill Park
Take the A259 coast road towards Eastbourne from Brighton. Immediately before Saltdean Lido, take a left into Arundel Drive, following it around the park and up into the Saltdean estate. Hill Park is at the end of the road.
Please be aware that the access road has been flooding since January due to the local council ignoring requests to unblock a drain, so drive carefully if there is heavy rain on the morning of the game.
