Robins start run of three massive matches in a week at the Edgar & Wood Stadium
The Southern Combination League season prepares to enter its final month with Hassocks rounding off March by playing three huge games in the space of seven days.
That run gets underway with a trip to the Edgar & Wood Stadium to face Shoreham on Saturday. The Musselmen are fighting for their lives towards the bottom of the table and will be hoping to benefit from a new management bounce after parting company with ex-Robins striker Michael Death on Monday.
Tom Cousins, Tom Bold and Shane Lovell have been put in charge until the end of the campaign. The visit of Hassocks will be the trio’s first home game at the helm, adding another layer of complication to an already tricky assignment for the Robins.
Seven new signings have arrived this week, meaning it will be a new-look Musselmen whom Hassocks take to the field against down on the south coast.
Shoreham this season
In one of the tightest Premier Division relegation battles for many years, Shoreham currently sit 17th with 25 points from 32 matches.
That puts them level with Loxwood but above the Magpies on goal difference. The Musselmen are then three ahead of Little Common and five of Saltdean United, who sunk to the bottom in midweek.
Shoreham v Hassocks head-to-head
There have been 55 meetings between Robins and Musselmen with the FA Vase being the only competition in senior football the clubs have never played each other in.
Hassocks have 26 victories to their name and Shoreham 18, leaving 11 draws. This will be the third match of the campaign with the Robins running out victors in the previous league game and a Peter Bentley Cup third round clash – but only just on both occasions.
Last time Hassocks played Shoreham
Shoreham’s November visit to the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground was probably the most dramatic Premier Division home game of the campaign so far.
The Robins trailed 1-0 as late as the 91st minute to a first half Jack Nicholls effort. A Ruari Farrell penalty in injury time looked to have salvaged a draw until Jack Troak went one better 120 seconds later, finding a last gasp winner as Hassocks stole a 2-1 success.
How to get to the Edgar & Wood Stadium
Leave the A27 at the Portslade junction and then follow the Old Shoreham Road west towards Worthing. After passing over the Holmbush Roundabout to enter Shoreham, follow the road until you reach the hospital, taking a left just before it onto Hammy Lane.
At the bottom of this road, go right at the mini roundabout and the ground is immediately on your left. Street parking is available all around.
For those travelling by train, the Edgar & Wood Stadium is almost exactly halfway between Southwick and Shoreham Stations, sitting 20 minutes or so between the two.
