Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup tie ends run of eight consecutive home games
A run of eight consecutive home matches at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground comes to an end on Tuesday night when Eastbourne United visit in the second round of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
After facing Anthony Storey’s side, the Robins have three away matches in a row. A remarkable 12 of Hassocks’ opening 13 games have been played at home.
The Robins reached the semi finals of this competition three seasons ago, only bowing out to treble winners Littlehampton Town.
If Hassocks are to embark on an equally memorable cup run this time around, they will need to overcome a United side whose form has improved massively since the start of September following a difficult start to the campaign.
Eastbourne United this season
The draw for the second round of the RUR Cup originally gave the Robins an away tie but with the Oval unavailable whilst a new 3G pitch goes in, Eastbourne United conceded home advantage.
United have not found it easy playing home games outside of Eastbourne and only won their first league game of the campaign at the weekend, beating Bexhill United 2-1 at the Trafalgar Ground.
They have though done well in knockout competitions, eliminating Sporting Bengal United from the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup before going down to a close 3-2 defeat against non-league giants Kingstonian.
United also hammered East Preston 4-0 in the previous round of the RUR and have eased through two rounds of the Peter Bentley League Cup, beating fellow Premier Division outfits Saltdean United 3-1 and Wick 4-0.
Hassocks v Eastbourne United head-to-head
The Robins just about lead the head-to-head with 19 wins to United’s 15, leaving 15 draws from 49 meetings.
Hassocks’ record is helped hugely by the fact that they used to love visiting the Oval in the 2010s, winning on all six visits – even though the Robins only finished above United in the Premier Division standings once in that time.
Last time Hassocks played Eastbourne United
The stars of the show were the two goalkeepers when United visited the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground back in March.
Ex-Robin James Broadbent was in inspired form for the visitors with Fraser Trigwell giving an equally impressive performance at the other end as it finished 0-0
Matchday information
Kick off is at 7:45pm 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.
