Robins start out on the road to the Amex in Sussex Senior Cup
The draw for the first round of the Sussex Senior Cup was belatedly done on Saturday 1st October and participating clubs given a whole 10 days to organise and complete their fixtures.
As a result, Hassocks have a hastily arranged Tuesday night first round tie confirmed with five days notice. The process has been so rushed the game does not even appear on the Southern Combination League website yet.
Saltdean United will provide the opposition. It is an intriguing draw that the Robins could have done with more time to publicise, seeing as it brings former Hassocks head coach Brad Sweetman and a number of ex-Robins players now with the Tigers back to the Beacon for the first time.
Sweetman did a fine job in charge last season, helping Hassocks avoid relegation from the Premier Division as well as taking the club to a first Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup semi final in a decade.
He is sure to receive a warm welcome off-the-pitch. On it, the Robins will be determined to bring their impressive Southern Combination form into a knockout competition, having already exited the Peter Bentley League Cup and the FA Vase at the earliest opportunity.
Reaching the final at the Amex is probably a little beyond Hassocks. Victory though and a plum second round tie against one of the big clubs of Sussex non-league football is well within the Robins’ capabilities on what is set up to be an entertaining evening of football.
Saltdean United this season
Saltdean underwent a summer of upheaval with manager Bryan O’Toole and his entire squad who finished runners up to Littlehampton Town in both the Southern Combination League and the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup departing.
As a result, most had Saltdean tipped as favourites for relegation – just as the Robins were under Sweetman last season. Hassocks defied those predictions and Satldean look like they will too, currently sitting six points clear of the bottom two.
Their most impressive result so far is victory over Eastbourne Town. The Tigers have also beaten Loxwood, Lingfield and taken a point away at Little Common.
Sweetman’s rebuild saw him take a large number of Hassocks players with him to Hill Park. Those who could line up against the Robins at the Beacon include Jack Gardner, Lewis Beebee, Alfie Edmeads, Louis Thwaites, Lucas Tyrrell, Jayden Dunkley and Jacob Campbell.
Off-the-pitch, Saltdean have recently been given permission to transform their home ground. A new clubhouse, stand and artificial pitch were approved by Brighton & Hove Council.
The facilities have the potential to help propel both the Tigers men’s and its thriving women’s section up their respective football pyramids.
Hassocks v Saltdean United head-to-head
Hassocks have faced Saltdean on 31 occasions in all competitions, winning 12 times. There have been four draws and 15 victories for the Tigers.
There has been one previous meeting in the Senior Cup, back in the 2001-02 campaign. The Robins won an eight-goal thriller 5-3 at Hill Park, starting a memorable run to the third round of the competition.
Dave John’s side went onto beat Saltdean’s local rivals Peacehaven & Telscombe 1-0 next, earning the plum third round draw of Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves at the Beacon.
A huge crowd attended and they were treated to something of an exhibition from the Albion, who ran out 8-1 winners.
Last time Hassocks played Saltdean United
Described as a “Christmas miracle”, Hassocks held title chasing Saltdean to a 1-1 draw at the Beacon back in December – despite being without Dan Turner and Josh Short, two of the Robins’ best players last season.
Tom Caplin gave the Tigers a 20th minute lead with an elegant strike from distance after Hassocks had failed to clear their lines.
Hassocks responded by taking control of the tie up until half time, much to the surprise of those in attendance. That continued into the second half.
Five minutes after the restart, the Robins got their reward. Jack Troak had a shot blocked but the ball fell kindly to Alfie Loversidge who slammed home from eight yards out for his eighth goal of the season.
Saltdean poured forward after that in a desperate search for a winner. The last 15 minutes in particular were all hands on deck, leading to jubilant scenes at the full time whistle once a vital point was confirmed.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 7:45pm and admission is £7 adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16s. Both card and cash payments are accepted on the turnstiles.
The T Bar will be open serving hot food and drink and the Robins Bar has a wide selection of craft beer from local breweries, along with other alcohol.
Dogs are welcome and a printed matchday programme will be on sale for £1.
