Mid Sussex Derby with a League Cup final place up for grabs
Newhaven hosts a Mid Sussex Derby in the semi finals of the Peter Bentley League Cup as Haywards Heath Town and Hassocks meet for third time this season.
For the Robins, it is the first time they have reached the final four of the competition since 1997. Hassocks have never reached a senior final in their 123-year history.
Heath a much greater pedigree in the Peter Bentley Cup. They lifted the trophy in 2017 when also crowned Southern Combination League champions to complete the double under Shaun Saunders. A season earlier and Heath finished runners up.
The winners at the Trafalgar Ground will go onto face Crowborough Athletic in the final. The Crows ran out 2-0 winners over Peacehaven & Telscombe in the other semi last week.
Haywards Heath Town this season
Heath started the campaign as title favourites and made an impressive start to the season, reaching the beginning of November having frequently traded top spot with Hassocks whilst only conceding six goals.
Then came the surprise decision to part company with manager Naim Rouane. Former Steyning Town boss Kevin Green was appointed in Rouane’s place.
Several key players opted to leave the Home Smart Energy Stadium as a result, with all the upheaval causing an initial drop off in form.
Good recruitment from Green though means the slump did not last long. Heath currently sit third in the Premier Division and will fancy their chances of securing promotion via the playoffs.
Their formidable record against Hassocks meanwhile should inspire confidence ahead of the journey to Newhaven.
Haywards Heath Town v Hassocks head-to-head
The head-to-head does not make for particularly good reading from a Hassocks point of view. It is 32 years since the Robins last beat Heath in a competitive first team fixture.
That 2-0 success back in the 1992-93 campaign also happens to be the only victory Hassocks have ever recorded in 15 matches with the Bluebells. Heath have won 10 of those, leaving four draws.
As already mentioned, the Robins and Heath have faced off twice this season already. Both games featured late Bluebells goals.
Heath progressed 3-2 in the FA Cup back in August thanks to an 89th minute Jack Meeres winner, followed by a 2-2 Premier Division draw at the Home Smart Energy Stadium on Boxing Day.
A fourth match is still to come when the Bluebells visit the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground on Easter Monday for the return league game.
Last time Hassocks played Haywards Heath Town
The sides put on a Christmas Cracker for that December 26th meeting. Josh Mundy gave Hassocks a 22nd minute lead, after which all the action was reserved for the final 10.
It started when Robins goalkeeper Jordan Brown lost his mind and went all Tyson Fury, picking up a straight red card.
Dan Turner took over in goal. Ex-Hassocks striker Liam Benson equalised two minutes later for Heath. The Robins won a penalty straight away but Charlie Pitcher saw his spot kick saved by Mitch Bromage.
Pitcher atoned for that by putting Hassocks back into the lead on 91, only for Kian Asafu-Adjaye to salvage a point for the Bluebells with virtually the last kick of the game.
How to get to the Trafalgar Ground
Take the A259 coast road into Newhaven, where you will join a one way system on Lewes Road. Follow it all the way around until you have nearly done a complete loop before taking a left onto South Road.
This in turn becomes Fort Road, with the Trafalgar Ground on your right opposite the Marina.
From Newhaven Town Station, it is around a 15 minute walk to Fort Road. Cross over the swing bridge, follow the one way system around and turn left onto South Road.
