Hassocks suffered first Premier Division defeat of the season last time out
The Robins will be looking to bounce back from their first Southern Combination Premier Division defeat of the season when Newhaven are the visitors to the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Crowborough Athletic saw Hassocks knocked off top spot, ending a run of eight consecutive league victories and 12 unbeaten.
It came at the end of a difficult sequence of four away matches in succession, during which the Robins had made good progress in both the Peter Bentley League Cup and FA Vase.
Hassocks will be looking forward to their first home fixture for three weeks – whilst those in attendance will be hoping for something approaching the level of entertainment last time these sides met in BN6 back in April.
Newhaven this season
The Dockers were within one game of promotion to the Isthmian League last season, reaching the Southern Combination Premier Division playoff final where they went down to Eastbourne Town.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Newhaven have suffered something of a hangover and that has meant making a slow start to the new campaign.
Having lost only five Premier Division matches in the whole 2023-24 season, Newhaven have already tasted defeat six times so far in 2024-25 from 14 games.
That currently leaves the Dockers 11th in the table with five wins, three draws and six defeats to their name.
What they can do though is score goals. Club legend Lee Robinson is always at the top of the Premier Division scoring charts and he has been joined at the Trafalgar Ground this season by his brother Jake, a hugely popular player in Sussex football circles for his time spent at Brighton in the 2010s.
With only nine points separating third down to 11th approaching the halfway point of the season, Newhaven have plenty of time to climb back towards the top four – where they have finished in every completed season since 2018.
Hassocks v Newhaven head-to-head
There have been 23 meetings between Hassocks and Newhaven with the fixture only becoming regular after the Dockers won promotion to the Premier Division in 2013.
It has not brought the Robins much joy. Hassocks have just five wins compared to 12 for Newhaven, leaving six draws.
Three of those Robins victories have come from the 19 fixtures played over the past 11 years, although Hassocks are currently unbeaten in their past three against the Dockers.
Last time Hassocks played Newhaven
One of the greatest days ever at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground in April. The Robins needed to win to guarantee a playoff place ahead of local rivals Haywards Heath Town, whilst victory for Newhaven could have seen them finish runners up to Steyning Town.
Raging Joe Bull put Hassocks into an early lead but a controversial red card before the 30 minute mark for Dan Turner left the Robins playing for over an hour with 10 men.
Not that it mattered. Hassocks were magnificent on the counter attack in the second half, adding four more goals through Super Pat Harding, Tall Striker Jamie Wilkes, Jack Troak and Harvey Blake to run out 5-1 winners.
Harding was giving a standing ovation when substituted having announced his retirement before the game whilst an attendance of 673 represented the biggest ever for a league game in Hassocks history.
Matchday information
Please note that kick off is at the earlier time of 2pm. 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 Dave John Lounge 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 Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Instead, follow Keymer Road towards Hurstpierpoint, turn left at Stonepound crossroads and walk down London Road towards the ground.
