First Southern Combination Premier Division game of the season under the Beacon lights
The only game on Tuesday night in the Southern Combination Premier Division sees table topping Hassocks put their unbeaten league record on the line against Division One champions Shoreham.
It also pits former Robins teammates against each other as managers, with ex-Hassocks striker Michael Death returning to the Beacon as Musselmen boss to face James Westlake in the home dugout.
The links do not stop there. Shoreham can call upon the seventh highest scoring Robin in senior football having recently signed Nathan Miles following a five-year break from the sport.
Joe Southam could keep goal for the Musselmen after playing five times last season for Hassocks dual-signed from Burgess Hill Town, whilst Alex Fair is now in Robins colours since helping Shoreham to promotion last season.
With so many intriguing subplots running through the game, this is an evening not to be missed under the lights at the Beacon.
Shoreham last season
Shoreham ended a four season absence from the Premier Division by winning promotion as Division One champions last time out.
A calendar-year long unbeaten league run from January 2022 until January 2023 provided the foundations for the Musselmen to lift the title by six points from Dorking Wanderers B.
Shoreham lost just three matches all season in an overall record of 21 wins and eight draws from 32 games.
Several of their title winning squad departed in the summer and that has made the step up a little challenging.
Shoreham are yet to win from eight matches in any competition so far. They remain dangerous opponents, however, as shown by their solitary league point coming from a 1-1 draw at Eastbourne United.
The Musselmen also put in an impressive performance at the weekend to go down to a single goal defeat away at Croydon in the FA Vase.
Hassocks v Shoreham head-to-head
Despite the fact Hassocks and Shoreham have not played each other for four seasons, there
have still been 51 meetings between the clubs. The only senior competition the sides have never faced each other in remains the FA Vase.
The Robins have 22 wins to their name, Shoreham 18 with 11 of the encounters ending level. Historically, there is little to separate them.
Last time Hassocks played Shoreham
Shoreham were all-but relegated when they visited Hassocks for the final game played at the Beacon of the 2018-19 season. The Robins in contrast were safely positioned in mid table.
Not that any of that mattered as the Musselmen stormed to a 5-0 victory. Mohammed Diallo scored four of the goals with the other coming from Martin Mutungi.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 7:45pm and admission is £8 adults, £4 concessions and free for under 16s. Both card and cash payments are accepted on the turnstiles and in the Clubhouse.
The T Bar will be open serving hot food and drink and the Robins Bar has a wide selection of craft beer from local breweries, along with other alcohol. Dogs are welcome and a printed programme will be on sale for £1.
If using Google Maps to walk from Hassocks Station or the village, please do not take the footpath into Butcher’s Wood. There is no crossing point over the railway line or way of entering the Beacon.
Instead, follow Keymer Road towards Hurstpierpoint, turn left at Stonepound crossroads and walk down London Road towards the ground.
