Hassocks round off their pre-season schedule by hosting Division One Oaks
Hassocks will face familiar foes Oakwood in their final friendly fixture on Tuesday night before the 2023-24 Southern Combination League Premier Division campaign gets underway at the weekend.
The Oaks reside in Division One and have become regular pre-season opponents for Hassocks over the past decade, usually in the last game prior to the competitive action starting.
Last year’s clash saw the Robins run out 3-0 winners via goals from Alfie Loversidge, Alex Bygraves and Will Broomfield, the perfect precursor to a campaign in which Hassocks secured their first top 10 finish since 2014.
Oakwood ended the season in 15th spot in Division One, six points clear of bottom side Hailsham Town who were the only team to be relegated. The Oaks won nine drew, five and lost 18 of their 31 matches.
Their friendly results so far ahead of the new campaign have been hugely encouraging. A 3-1 victory over Horley Town from the Combined Counties League is the most eye catching and the Oaks have also pushed Steyning Town close before going down a 1-0 defeat against the Barrowmen.
Hassocks meanwhile have faced three tough games in succession, all ending in defeats against Isthmian League opponents Broadbridge Heath, Burgess Hill Town and Whitehawk without a goal being scored.
Performance wise, Saturday’s 2-0 reversal against the Hawks was much improved. Hassocks created their fair share of opportunities to cause step three opponents worry on more than one occasion, boding well for the season ahead.
For the last time the Robins faced Oakwood in a competitive match, you have to go back to the final month of the 2008-09 Premier Division season.
The Oaks had to beat Hassocks at Tinsley Lane that day, or else their relegation into Division One would be mathematically confirmed.
Chris Williams got the only goal of the game as Oakwood lived to fight another day. Unfortunately, the Oaks were still relegated despite their win over Dave John’s Hassocks and they went down alongside Worthing United.
The previous meeting in that 2008-09 season took place when Hassocks were also involved in the battle to avoid the drop. Goals from Sol Bowra, Adam Williams and Anthony Hibbert secured a 3-0 victory and three big three points for the Robins.
Kick off on Tuesday night is at 7:45pm. Admission is £5 adults, £2 concessions and free for Under 16s. The Robins Bar will be serving craft beer and other alcohol and the T Bar will have hot food and drinks available.
