December kicks off for Hassocks with one of the longest trips of the season, the Robins heading west to face Midhurst & Easebourne.
Midhurst will be the first side the Robins have faced twice in the Premier Division in 2022-23 – and if it is anything like the seven-goal thriller played out in August, then those making the journey to the Rotherfield will be in for a treat.
Hassocks will be hoping for a better result than the 4-3 defeat they suffered on that occasion. This will be the Robins’ first away game since losing at Newhaven at the end of October, with every match they played through November taking place at the Beacon.
December looks like a challenging but exciting month with four league games against opponents in the top half of the table.
It would be some way to set up the second half of the campaign if the Robins themselves were still in the top five after meetings with Midhurst, Peacehaven & Telscombe, Eastbourne Town and Steyning Town.
Midhurst & Easebourne this season
Midhurst are embarking on their first Southern Combination Premier Division season for 30 years after winning the Division One playoffs back in May.
Whereas champions Roffey have found the step up difficult, the Stags have taken to the higher level like a duck to water.
They made a blistering start and spent most of the opening month around the top six whilst also enjoying an historic run to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.
In the league, Midhurst have eight wins, two draws and eight defeats to their name so far. The 35 goals they have plundered is the sixth highest total in the Premier Division.
Midhurst & Easebourne v Hassocks head-to-head
The Stags 30 year absence from the top division where Hassocks have played since 1994 means that meetings have been few and far between.
There have been just nine previous clashes. Five have been won by Hassocks and four by Midhurst. The mathematicians amongst you will have deduced that leaves zero draws.
Goals tend to be guaranteed; Hassocks have a 6-0 win at the Beacon and a 6-1 win at the Rotherfield to their name, whilst that crazy clash four months ago provides another seven for the total.
Last time Hassocks played Midhurst & Easebourne
The first competitive game of the campaign played at the Beacon saw the Stags leave with all three points. It finished 4-3 and all the goals arrived in the first half.
Midhurst sauntered into a 3-0 lead inside of half hour thanks to a Rob Tambling brace and Billy Connor. At that point, it looked game over.
Hassocks though had other ideas and Alex Bygraves made it 3-1 on 33 minutes with a goal on his home debut.
Kieran Cater responded by putting Midhurst 4-1 ahead on 38 with Jack Troak and Liam Benson narrowing the Stags’ lead back to one in the final five minutes of the first half.
All anyone could say during the break was “£7 admission… it’s a pound a goal at the minute.” That was to be end of the scoring however, despite Hassocks doing their best to find more.
Phil Johnson came closest when hitting a post before a harsh sin bin for Leon Turner late in the day checked the Robins’ momentum as Midhurst held on.
How to get to the Rotherfield
A surprisingly straightforward if very long journey for Hassocks fans. Take the A272 through Cowfold, through Billingshurst and through Petworth until you reach Easebourne.
There will be a sharp left turn next to the Cowdray Park Polo Club, after which you take the second right onto Egmont Road.
Turn left at the end onto Dodsley Lane and then an immediate right into Dodsley Grove and the ground is just on your right.
Kick off is at 3pm and admission prices are £5 adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16s.
