Newhaven to take on Crowborough on Bank Holiday Monday
Hassocks have been chosen to hold this season’s Peter Bentley League Cup final between Newhaven and Crowborough Athletic.
The game will take place on Monday 1st May 2023, kicking off at 1pm. It marks the fifth time in the past six completed seasons that the Beacon has hosted the final of the Southern Combination League’s showpiece flagship knockout competition.
Crowborough booked their place with a 2-0 semi final win over Peacehaven & Telscombe at the Trafalgar Ground.
The Crows are yet to concede a goal in the Peter Bentley Cup this season, having eliminated Lingfield 4-0 and Forest Row 5-0 in the two previous rounds.
Newhaven meanwhile had a tough route to the final. A 5-1 win at Little Common in round two was routine enough, but next they needed penalties to overcome Bexhill United at the Trafalgar Ground following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
The quarter finals saw the Dockers eliminate Broadbridge Heath, in the process denying the Bears the double if they go onto claim the Premier Division title this weekend as expected. In their semi, Newhaven overcame Loxwood 2-0 at the Birchwood Ground.
Newhaven are no strangers to Peter Bentley Cup finals. They went down to treble winning Littlehampton Town last season and were beaten 2-1 by Lancing in 2016.
That game was also held at the Beacon with the Lancers’ team that day including former Hassocks goalkeeper Josh Green and defender Jake Mills.
Two of the Robins’ current squad were also involved, Mike Williamson and Alex Bygraves. Williamson was named man of the match whilst Green saved a pivotal penalty in the 51st minute.
Newhaven have better memories of the 2015 final, when they saw off Arundel 3-1 at Gorings Mead to lift the trophy for the first and only time.
Crowborough meanwhile are also one-time winners of the Peter Bentley Cup. They defeated Sidley 2-1 at the Caburn in 2007.
The Crows most recent final experience came in 2013, when they were beaten by double winners Peacehaven at Culver Road.
Crowborough were moved by the FA into the Southern Counties East League in 2014, where they remained until the start of the current campaign.
To mark their first season back in the Southern Combination with silverware would be an impressive achievement from the Crows.
24 hours earlier and the Beacon will also host the Under 18 League Cup final between Newhaven and Alfold. That is an 11am kick off on Sunday 30th April.
As is always the case when the Beacon is chosen to host such prestigious matches, the day can only run smoothly with the help of volunteers.
If you would be available to help on the day, then please speak to Owen behind the bar at Saturday’s game against Eastbourne Town or email hassocksfc@outlook.com.
