Long-awaited third round tie between Robins and Barrowmen finally takes place
After five months of waiting, Hassocks and Steyning Town will finally do battle in the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup at the Beacon on Tuesday evening.
There had been doubts over whether the competition would be played to a finish this season before the Sussex FA hastily slotted the third round into the fixture list.
With quarter finals, semi finals and final all to come in April and May, those sides who progress to the last eight are set for a very busy few weeks.
On paper, there is little to choose between the Robins and Steyning. The Barrowmen are three points better off in the Premier Division standings whilst the previous meeting was decided by a 94th minute Steyning goal after Hassocks lost goalkeeper Joe Southam to injury.
All the ingredients are there for a classic cup tie with the Robins looking to use their excellent league form since the turn of the year to emulate last season’s memorable run to the semi finals of the competition.
Steyning Town this season
Steyning have enjoyed a remarkably similar season to Hassocks so far with a new manager overhauling a squad to turn the Barrowmen into surprise challenges for the top six.
Kevin Green made the move to the Birchwood Ground from Montpelier Villa and currently has Steyning flying high in fifth position.
They have won 18, drawn five and lost eight of their 31 matches so far. To reach the third round of the RUR Cup, they claimed the impressive scalp of Eastbourne Town, eliminating their visitors to the Birchwood Ground on penalties.
Hassocks v Steyning Town head-to-head
Meetings between the Robins and Steyning have been few and far between because of Town’s spell in the Wessex League during the 1980s and 1990s.
14 times before the sides have faced off; five times in the Premier Division, four times in Division One, four times in the Sussex Senior Cup and once previously in the RUR Cup.
Hassocks have won seven, drawn four and lost three of those matches – with one of those defeats coming in the previous meeting in this competition.
Goals from Danny Gainsford, former Robin Craig Knowles and Rob Clark saw Division One Steyning pull off a shock when winning 3-1 at the Shooting Field in November 2015. Phil Gault claimed the Hassocks consolation.
Last time Hassocks played Steyning Town
A five-goal thriller played out on Boxing Day in front of the biggest crowd for a league game at the Beacon for over 25 years.
Liam Benson and Harvey Blake had us 2-0 to the good going into half time, only for the Barrowmen to launch a stunning comeback.
Callum Chalmers and Jack Langford levelled the tie before Jack Barnes decided things 3-2 in Steyning’s favour with a 94th minute winner.
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 we are able to supply a printed programme again after sorting our recent printer issues. These will be on sale for £1.
