Hassocks host Isthmian Premier opponents in penultimate friendly
When Whitehawk ran out 7-1 winners over Hassocks at the Beacon last pre-season, they seemed likely to go onto have a good campaign in Isthmian League South East.
Fast forward 10 months and the Hawks were celebrating promotion to step five, beating Hythe Town 1-0 in the playoff final in front of a 1,428-strong crowd at The Enclosed Ground.
It was some way for former Haywards Heath Town boss Shaun Saunders to complete his first full season in charge, taking the club from 16th at the end of the 2021-22 campaign to third a year later.
Whitehawk are the highest placed side in the football pyramid who Hassocks will face in their friendly schedule, making it the toughest fixture for James Westlake and his squad ahead of the Southern Combination League action getting underway next Saturday (29th July).
The Robins will at least be hoping to get through this year’s clash with the Hawks without suffering any damaging and long-term injuries, as was the case in that 7-1 defeat.
All the scoring had been done and the game was inside the final 10 minutes when the Whitehawk goalkeeper broke three of Pat Harding’s ribs when coming to claim a high ball into the box.
The accidental collision ruled Harding out for more than six weeks, completing a miserable afternoon at the office for Hassocks.
Charlie Harris hit a hat-trick for Whitehawk and there were goals from Will Miles, Charlie Lambert, Javuan Splatt and A Trialist in the rout. Sam Smith provided the Robins consolation.
Hassocks also suffered a six-goal defeat in the prior friendly meeting, held at the Enclosed Ground ahead of the 2016-17 season.
Danny Mills scored three of the Hawks’ six that evening. All of Mills’ goals came in the opening 45 minutes, along with strikes from Ahmed Abdulla and Kleyton Agostini which sent the hosts into half time 5-0 ahead.
The Robins competed far better in the second half and Whitehawk were only able to add one more to their total from another one of the A Trialist family.
Hassocks had a much more enjoyable time of it when the clubs last met in a competitive game, pulling off a Sussex Senior Cup shock in 2010.
The Hawks were the reigning Southern Combination champions and would go onto finish third at the end of their debut Isthmian campaign.
A 2-1 second round win for Hassocks provided one of the surprises of the competition. Spencer Slaughter and Dan Smith were on target for Mickey Jewell’s Robins.
Kick off at the Beacon on Saturday is at 3pm and admission prices are £5 adults, £2 concessions and free for under 16s. The Robins Bar and T Bar will both be open.
