Robins provide the opposition for first game on Peacehaven’s new 3G pitch
Hassocks are the party guests as football returns to Peacehaven with the Window Workshop Sports Park hosting its first game on the new 3G pitch.
The Tye have spent the current campaign living a nomadic existence whilst work was carried out, playing their nine Premier Division ‘home’ fixtures so far at places like Eastbourne Town, Steyning Town and Shoreham.
Progress on the new pitch was held up when rumoured Roman coins were found during the installation. Not something those behind the project probably thought to consider.
But judging by photos of the completed Window Workshop Sports Park, it looks like it will have been worth the wait.
The grand reopening will give the Tye extra motivation to mark the occasion with three points, making this yet another tough afternoon for Hassocks in what is there fifth consecutive away game.
Peacehaven & Telscombe this season
Despite spending the entire season on the road so far, Peacehaven remain in playoff contention. The Tye sit eighth in the standings, nine points off the top five.
Crucially, Peacehaven have a game on hand on those sides above them. Even more crucially, 10 of their remaining 14 games will take place at home.
If the Tye can turn the Window Workshop Sports Park into a fortress over the next two months, they will fancy their chances of entering the promotion picture.
Peacehaven & Telscombe v Hassocks head-to-head
This is not a fixture which has brought Hassocks much joy through the years. Peacehaven have won 22 of the 43 meetings with 11 victories for the Robins and 10 draws.
Last season was the first time this century that Hassocks completed a league double over the Tye, winning 2-0 at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground and 2-1 at the Window Workshop Sports Park.
That victory down at Peacehaven was the only the second in the league for the Robins since 2000. It also equalled the club record of seven successive wins.
The biggest landmark of all, however, was a rare Bradley Tighe goal. Just his second in over 200 appearances for Hassocks.
No prizes for guessing who the other came against. Also Peacehaven in the season’s November meeting in BN6.
A fact which went down rather well with Tighe’s father Jason, who had a long association as a player and coach with the Tye’s arch rivals, Newhaven.
Last time Hassocks played Peacehaven & Telscombe
Peacehaven were top of the table and the Robins second when the sides clashed at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground back in September.
Morgan Vale gave the hosts a 10th minute lead cancelled out by Tyler Scrafton five minutes before the break.
1-1 was how it looked likely to end until Hassocks won a free kick in a dangerous position in the 92nd minute.
Darren Budd subsequently bent an effort up and over the wall. It crashed into the near post, rolled across the line and went in at the opposite side to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory and send the Robins top of the table.
Not that Budd knew much about it. “I’m so short I couldn’t see over the wall, so I didn’t know it had gone in,” he said afterwards.
How to get to the Window Workshop Sports Park
Head to Brighton and hit the A259, making your way through Peacehaven. Just after the Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church on your left comes Piddinghoe Avenue, with the ground being situated at the end of the road.
For those travelling by public transport, it is the 12A Coaster bus from Brighton Station to Peacehaven. The bus takes around 40 minutes.
Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices have been cut to just £5 adults to celebrate the Tye’s homecoming. Under 18s go free.
