Robins host fellow Premier Division club in first round of competition
The road to the Amex Stadium in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup gets underway for Hassocks with a first round tie at home to Pagham.
It will be only the second meeting between the clubs in the competition. Pagham ran out 2-1 victors on the previous occasion, way back in the 1998-99 season.
The Robins have not had much success in the Senior Cup in recent years. The last time they progressed beyond the second round was in the 2016-17 campaign.
And whilst the chances of a Southern Combination side going all the way are very slim, the competition does offer a chance of facing the biggest clubs in Sussex.
With Hassocks currently top of the Premier Division, they will be hoping to keep the momentum rolling against the Lions.
Pagham this season
This is Pagham’s second season back in the Southern Combination after spending the 2022-23 campaign in the Wessex League.
A transitional 2023-24 ended with a 13th place finish. The aim this time around will be to build on that.
So far, the Lions sit 13th again with two wins, one draw and four defeats to their name – including a highly impressive 5-0 opening day victory over Crawley Down Gatwick.
Hassocks v Pagham head-to-head
Pagham have been one of the Robins’ most frequent opponents in their 42 years as a Southern Combination club with 59 games played to date.
The Lions lead the head-to-head, having won 28 compared with 29 for Hassocks. That leaves nine draws.
Most of those Pagham wins have come in the past decade. The Robins have picked up just 19 points from a possible 48 in the fixture since 2014.
Last time Hassocks played Pagham
Hassocks made it five wins in a row for the first time since 2015-16 when beating the Lions 3-1 at home in February.
Jack Troak managed to get credited with the opening goal based on an enthusiastic celebration. From the sidelines, it looked like a Raging Joe Bull corner had gone in off Pagham goalkeeper Connor Kelly.
Troak’s Robins teammates meanwhile celebrated with Sean Stephenson after thinking he had scored.
There could be no doubt the second goal belonged to Leon Turner. Dan Simmonds pulled one back before Pat Harding ensured a two-goal winning margin with a 91st minute penalty.
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.
