Hassocks host Storrington in the first qualifying round of the competition
Hassocks get their 2024-25 Isuzu FA Vase campaign underway with a rare meeting against Storrington in the first qualifying round of the competition.
It will be the first time the Robins have faced the Swans since a Sussex Senior Cup second round tie at Storrington Recreation Ground in November 2012.
You have to go back even further to find the last time the Swans visited the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground, all the way to the 1994-95 Southern Combination Division One campaign.
Should the game be level after 90 minutes, it will go straight to penalties. The winners will make the trip to Combined Counties Premier South side Horley Town in the second qualifying round on Saturday 21st September.
Storrington last season
Storrington lost their long-held senior status when relegated from Southern Combination Division One at the end of the 2021-22 season.
They did not hang around for long in Division Two, however, winning promotion at the second attempt as champions in 2023-24 by a huge margin of 11 points from runners up Bosham.
The Swans averaged more than three-goals-per-game in the league and also reached the final of the Sussex Intermediate Cup, where they lost to Rustington.
Storrington have made a good start to life back in Division One, taking four points from four matches to sit safely in mid table.
There has been encouragement from their two defeats too, coming by single goals against early league leaders Forest Row and one of the promotion favourites, AFC Uckfield Town.
Hassocks v Storrington head-to-head
Hassocks and Storrington might have faced off only once in the past 30 years, but there were 13 other matches played before that between 1985 and 1995.
The Robins lead the head-to-head with eight wins. Four encounters have finished level with two solitary Swans victories, coming when they completed a Southern Combination Division Two double over Hassocks in the 1990-91 season.
Last time Hassocks played Storrington
It finished 5-1 to Mickey Jewell’s Hassocks side, although the evening is remembered more for a rare Ashley Marsh goal than the convincing manner of the Robins’ victory.
James Westlake put Hassocks ahead before Marsh added only his second goal in over 300 appearances for the club, eight years after his first.
Two goals from Dan Smith and one from Anthony Hibbert completed the scoring, setting up a glamour Sussex Senior Cup third round tie at Eastbourne Borough.
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 Dave John Lounge 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 Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Instead, follow Keymer Road towards Hurstpierpoint, turn left at Stonepound crossroads and walk down London Road towards the ground.
