Robins travel to the Window Workshop Sports Park in RUR Cup
The belated decision to play the 2022-23 Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup to a finish means Hassocks have at least one more 90 minutes of the campaign away at Peacehaven & Telscombe in the quarter finals of the competition.
Victory would see the Robins emulate their run to the semis last season, where they were eliminated 2-0 by treble winners Littlehampton Town. A trip to either the Marigolds or Eastbourne United awaits the winners of Hassocks’ tie with the Tye.
The Robins began their RUR Cup campaign as long ago as October. Phil Johnson scored four first half goals as Division One side Forest Row were easily seen off 5-0 in the second round.
Danny Reid completed the rout in a game which made Hassocks history as the first to ever be streamed live on YouTube for the world to watch.
It was five months before the third round took place. The Robins and Steyning Town played out a 0-0 draw at the Beacon, followed by an extraordinary penalty shootout in which the first 16 spot kicks were all scored.
James Shaw then saved the Barrowmen’s ninth of the evening before Hassocks maintained their 100 percent penalty record to book their place in the last eight.
Peacehaven have only had to play once to make it this far. The Tye defeated Seaford Town 2-0 in round two and then received a bye through the third round after Lancing pulled out of the competition due to their Isthmian League season already being completed.
Peacehaven & Telscombe this season
Peacehaven finished the Premier Division campaign in eighth spot, some five points ahead of the Robins in the standings.
It is cup competitions where the Tye have really made their mark, however. They embarked on a memorable run to the last eight of the FA Vase, drawing an incredible crowd of 1,253 to the Window Workshop Sports Park for a cruel quarter final exit on penalties against Corsham Town.
Peacehaven won through three rounds of the FA Cup to reach the first qualifying round, advanced to the semi finals of the Peter Bentley League Cup and the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup. Both of those adventures were ended by Crowborough Athletic.
Hassocks will therefore be wary of a side with an excellent knockout pedigree, not to mention a rich history in the RUR Cup. The Tye are seven times winners with their most recent success coming in 2019.
Hassocks v Peacehaven & Telscombe head-to-head
It is not a fixture which has brought Hassocks much joy through the years. Peacehaven have won 22 of the 40 meetings with eight victories for the Robins and 10 draws.
In terms of the RUR Cup, it is honours even. Hassocks have faced the Tye three times in the competition, winning one, drawing one and losing one.
The draw and the loss came in the 1983-84 season. The Robins and Peacehaven played out a 1-1 first round stalemate at Adastra Park, necessitating a replay back at Piddinghoe Avenue which the hosts won 1-0.
Two seasons later and Hassocks gained a measure of revenge via a 1-0 victory down in Peacehaven, also in the first round.
Last time Hassocks played Peacehaven & Telscombe
Nothing could separate the sides at the Beacon on a freezing cold February evening when they played out a 0-0 Premier Division draw.
Shaw’s clean sheet that evening was the first of five in a row, setting a club record for consecutive shutouts as Hassocks went more than 450 minutes without conceding.
How to get to the Window Workshop Sports Park
Head to Brighton and join the A259 coast road bound for Eastbourne. After passing through Rottingdean and Saltdean, you will reach Peacehaven.
Just past the Evangelical Free Church on your left is Piddinghoe Avenue. The Sports Park is located at the end of the road. The postcode is BN10 8RJ. Kick off is at 7:45pm.
