Premier Division rivals make the short trip up the A23 in second round of the competition
Hassocks have been given a home drawn in the second round of the Peter Bentley League Cup against fellow Southern Combination Premier Division side AFC Varndeanians.
It will be the first time that the clubs have met in the competition. The Robins have only ever faced Varndeanians twice in senior football following Vs’ promotion to the top flight last season.
Hassocks won the first of those matches 4-1 at the Beacon in October. It was a memorable afternoon for Alfie Loversidge, who scored his first senior hat-trick after Joe Bull had put the Robins ahead.
Constantin Cornel Ducia denied Hassocks a clean sheet with a consolation for the visitors seven minutes from time.
The return game at Withdean Stadium ended in a 1-0 win for Varndeanians as they continued their ultimately successful great escape from relegation.
Having failed to secure a victory from any of their opening 25 games in all competitions, Vs belatedly sparked into life under their third manager of the season Dave Bridges.
Their win over Hassocks made it 11 points from a possible 21 since mid-December, a blistering run of form which continued right the way through to April.
Varndeanians ended the season above both East Preston and Loxwood, finishing six points and two places below the Robins in 18th.
Finley Bigg scored the only goal on the hour mark in 90 minutes of largely forgettable football. The result prevented Hassocks winning three consecutive games for the first time in 2021-22 following victories on the road at Crawley Down Gatwick and AFC Uckfield Town.
Neither Hassocks or Varndeanians advanced beyond the second round of the Peter Bentley League Cup last season. The Robins suffered a 5-1 home defeat against eventual Division One champions Roffey.
Varndeanians meanwhile were eliminated 2-1 by Newhaven, who advanced all the way to the final where they were beaten by treble winners Littlehampton Town.
The draw for the Under 23s League Cup has also been made with Neil Parker taking his Hassocks side to Chessington & Hook United in the second round of the competition.
Chessington are newcomers to the Southern Combination League this season after the FA moved them from the Southern Counties East League.
Hassocks will be hoping for a straightforward evening at Chalky Lane rather than a rollercoaster tie.
