Hassocks aim to go beyond second round of competition for the first time ever
There has been a late change to the kick off time for the Isuzu FA Vase second round clash between Tunbridge Wells and Hassocks at Culverden Stadium.
A floodlight issue means the game will now get underway one hour earlier than previously advertised, starting at 2pm.
It will be the first ever competitive meeting between the Robins and Tunbridge Wells. Whereas the Wells have an impressive history in the FA Vase, Hassocks have never progressed beyond this stage of the competition before.
The Robins therefore take flight to Kent hoping to make more Hassocks history by claiming another impressive scalp on the road to go with victories over Camberley Town and Horley Town in the previous two rounds.
Who are Tunbridge Wells?
Tunbridge Wells can trace their roots all the way back to 1886 through various guises. Tunbridge Wells Rangers had a rich history in the FA Cup up to the 1930s, including reaching the second round twice.
In the 1950s, Tunbridge Wells United were a force in the Southern League and again impressed in the FA Cup, facing both Brighton and Aldershot in first round ties.
Over 16,000 watched the Wells take on the Albion at the Goldstone Ground, where they lost 5-0 to their professional opponents.
The club adopted its current name of Tunbridge Wells in 1967 and have played in the Kent League and Southern Counties East League ever since.
They reached the FA Vase Final in the 2012-13 season, losing 2-1 to Spennymoor Town of the Northern League at Wembley.
Tunbridge Wells this season
Tunbridge Wells are currently managed by former AFC Uckfield Town boss Steve Ives. They sit 11th in the Southern Counties East Premier Division with five wins, three draws and seven defeats from 14 games.
The Wells booked their place in the second round of the Vase by beating Pagham 3-1 at Culverden Stadium. Pagham eliminated the Robins from the Sussex Senior Cup earlier in the campaign.
In terms of links between the clubs, Morgan Vale joined Hassocks from Tunbridge Wells in the summer. Vale played 18 times for the Wells last season.
How to get to Culverden Stadium
The journey from Hassocks to the Culverden Stadium should take around an hour by car. Take the A272 towards Uckfield and then join the A26 through Crowborough to Tunbridge Wells.
Stay on the A26 through the town until you reach Culverden Park on your left. Take Culverden Park and follow the road all the way to the point it merges with Culverden Down. The stadium is then on the right.
For those braving the journey by public transport, it is a little more tricky. You can take the Regency 29 Bus which goes all the way from Brighton to Tunbridge Wells, stopping at Lewes on route.
By train, it is either all the way from Hassocks up to London Bridge and back down to Tunbridge Wells or an alternative route involving several changes via Gatwick, Redhill and Tonbridge.
