Hassocks hope to beat the temperatures for a first game in two weeks
After two consecutive postponements, Hassocks will be hoping to beat the weather and play for the first time in a fortnight when Horsham YMCA visit the Beacon.
The Robins saw their trip to Eastbourne Town lost to a waterlogged pitch last weekend. Tuesday night’s home game against Peacehaven & Telscombe followed suit because of a frozen pitch.
That means Hassocks have not played since beating AFC Uckfield Town 3-0 14 days ago. YM have been out of action for even longer, last kicking a ball in anger when losing 3-1 at Steyning Town on January 2nd.
With both sides eager to get back on the pitch and a lot of history between the two with YM being one of Hassocks’ most frequent opponents over the past 40 years, an entertaining afternoon of football looks in store.
Horsham YMCA this season
Horsham YMCA began the season in impressive fashion, looking like they could secure their highest finish since Peter Buckland was in charge and had them regularly challenging towards the top of the table.
They have fallen away since those early days to currently sit 13th but remain dangerous opponents for any side in the division thanks to the mix of a mean defence and strikers who know where the goal is.
Former Dorking Wanderers goal machine Tom Tolfrey leads YM’s scoring charts whilst ex-Robin Ben Bacon needs no introduction to Hassocks fans after enjoying spells at the Beacon in the 2016-17 and 2019-20 seasons.
Bacon has been a frequent thorn in the Robins’ side whenever coming up against his old club. He is not the only player on show who loves scoring against a former employer either – Phil Johnson has a remarkable record in a Hassocks shirt when facing YM, whom he spent two-and-a-half seasons with.
Hassocks v Horsham YMCA head-to-head
Hassocks and Horsham YMCA have faced off on 54 occasions since the Robins entered the Southern Combination League in 1982.
It is YM who lead the head-to-head with 28 victories to their name, the Robins have 14 and there have been 13 draws.
YM’s dominance of the fixture stems largely from their strong record at the Herbert Direct Stadium, where Hassocks have been victorious just four times in the league this century.
Last time Hassocks played Horsham YMCA
One of Hassocks’ rare successes away against YM came on their September visit. The hosts had kept seven clean sheets in 10 games coming into the clash whilst the Robins were 270 minutes without a goal.
In typical Hassocks style, the formbook ended up thrown out the window with the Robins coming away with a stunning 4-1 success.
Johnson (of course) led the charge against his former club, scoring twice with Leon Turner and Jack Troak also netting. The YM consolations came from Archie Goddard and Bacon (of course).
Matchday information
Kick off is at 2:00pm 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 44 page matchday programme will be on sale for £1.
