Saltdean United visit the Beacon in an early Saturday afternoon kick off
After excellent victories away at Eastbourne Town and home to Peacehaven & Telscombe, Hassocks will be looking to make it three wins in a row when Saltdean United visit the Beacon on Saturday.
Having waited three weeks for a home game, two then come along in the space of four days. The Robins will come into their clash against Saltdean with confidence sky high after their 2-0 midweek win over Peacehaven, which saw them leapfrog the Tye to move into third place in the Southern Combination Premier Division standings.
The action against the Tigers gets underway at 2pm, the first home game of the season where kick off has been moved forward by an hour to help the Robins avoid floodlight use at a time of ever-rising energy prices.
Saltdean United this season
Having survived relegation last season with a late rally after replacing former Hassocks head coach Brad Sweetman with interim manager Joe Mctiffen, Saltdean appointed Newhaven Under 21s boss Kieran Ridley as their new manager in the summer.
Ridley brought several of his talented Dockers squad with him to Hill Park, but as is often the case when young players step up to senior level, the Tigers have struggled for consistency. They currently sit 19th in the table, four points above bottom side Shoreham.
Progress is being made off the pitch, however, with work expected to start soon on transforming Hill Park via the installation of a 3G pitch and a brand new Clubhouse.
The development will give Saltdean one of the best facilities in the Southern Combination League, making these exciting times for everyone involved with the Tigers.
Hassocks v Saltdean United head-to-head
Hassocks and Saltdean have faced off on 35 occasions in the past. Both sides have 15 wins apiece, leaving just five draws. Three of those stalemates have come in the past seven meetings.
This was a fixture Hassocks used to dominate during the early 90s, winning six times out of six when the sides were in Division One together and scoring 19 goals along the way.
That has not been the case in recent years; last season’s double represented the Robins’ first victories over Saltdean since the Tigers returned to the Premier Division in 2017.
Last time Hassocks played Saltdean United
It was the Jack Troak show at Hill Park in February as the winger came off the bench to help the Robins to a 2-0 victory.
Both goals came in the final 15 minutes. Troak first teed up Phil Johnson to open the scoring on 76 minutes and then forced a Tigers defender to put through his own net.
Matchday information
Kick off is at 2pm 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 was 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
