Hassocks Under 18s get their defence of the Southern Combination Youth League Cup underway this Sunday at the Beacon.
The young Robins will host Steyning Town in the first round of the competition they won for the first time in nine years last season.
The two sides last met in the League Cup in the second round stage in the 2016-17 season. That was a day to forget for Hassocks as they crashed to a 4-1 defeat at the Shooting Field while relying on a Town own goal for their consolation. That was the last time the Robins tasted defeat in the competition.
Steyning are yet to win a game so far this season, having played just three times to date. They went out of the FA Youth Cup 4-2 away at Three Bridges and have followed that up with league defeats away at Southwick and then in their local derby at home to Upper Beeding.
Town remain dangerous opponents for the Robins however. They finished runners up in the Central Division last year with a very young squad and gave Dave John’s champions a tough game last time the two met.
That came at the Shooting Field in November where braces from Jake Atherton and George Galbraith-Gibbons were required for a hard fought 4-2 victory.
The previous meeting had taken place on the opening day at the Beacon with Hassocks winning 4-0. Galbraith-Gibbons and Atherton were again on target on that occasion, along with Matt Denyer and Ryan Jackson.
Kick off is at the earlier time of 10.30am at the Beacon and entrance is free. All the normal facilities such as the T Bar and the Robins Bar will be open.
Hassocks Ladies meanwhile will look to take their winning run to start the season to four victories out of four when they go to Mole Valley on Sunday afternoon.
It may be early days in the South East Counties Women’s Division One West, but the Robins and Valley are currently the top two in the league and as such this has all the makings of classic.
Two victories over Steyning Town and one over Oakwood have given Hassocks nine points from nine at the head of the table while Mole Valley have hammered both Oakwood and Bexhill United to go with their opening day draw at Milford & Witley.
The game takes place at North Leatherhead Recreation Ground with a 2pm kick off.
