Hassocks host Bexhill United with the end of the season in sight
The Beacon hosts its penultimate game of the 2023-24 Southern Combination Premier Division season this weekend with Hassocks welcoming Bexhill United to Mid Sussex.
Having gone down to an unfortunate 2-0 defeat against fellow playoff hopefuls Haywards Heath Town on Easter Monday, the Robins will be looking to bounce back in the same manner as they did following the Boxing Day defeat to their local rivals.
Hassocks won seven games in succession following that loss against the Bluebells in December, equalling the club record for consecutive victories in senior football.
Repeating that will be easier said than done, of course. The Pirates sail into Hassocks fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
Last Saturday, they became only the third side to defeat Newhaven in the league this season when winning 2-1 at the Trafalgar Ground.
That surprise result serves as a reminder that there are no easy games, particularly at this late stage of the campaign with everything to play for at both ends of the table.
Bexhill United this season
Bexhill saw long-standing boss Ryan Light leave the Polegrove at the end of last season, having taken the Pirates from Division One strugglers to an established part of the Premier Division top six.
The club opted for continuity and so appointed their Under 23s manager John Wright and his assistant Shane Lovell to the role.
With several senior players opting to depart in the wake of Light’s departure, Bexhill have relied on a number of their successful development and youth squads stepping up to fill gaps.
Results have understandably been inconsistent as a result and Bexhill find themselves 17th with six wins, nine draws and 20 defeats leaving them four points above the relegation places.
Two of those victories have come in the Pirates’ last four outings. As well as the stunning 2-1 win over Newhaven last Saturday, Bexhill also hammered AFC Uckfield Town 4-0 at the Polegrove a fortnight ago.
Hassocks v Bexhill United head-to-head
This will be the 14th meeting between Hassocks and the Pirates. The first four came in Division One when Bexhill were known as Bexhill Town.
The clubs then faced off in four cup matches before the Pirates won promotion to the Premier Division in 2021, with another five games following. Hassocks have come out on top on four occasions, Bexhill on six leaving three draws.
Last time Hassocks played Bexhill United
Bexhill could feel very harshly done by given what happened when the sides met at the Polegrove in December.
The Pirates looked on course for what would have been an impressive three points, leading 2-0 via Joe Summerbell and Ollie Hull as late as the 88th minute.
Tall striker Jamie Wilkes then pulled one back for Hassocks, followed by Josh Mundy equalising in the 95th minute.
The home crowd were left stunned and the travelling contingent suddenly feeling a little warmer on a freezing cold day by the East Sussex seaside.
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.
