Robins out for revenge after Senior Cup exit to Pagham
One of the longest away trips of the season is on the cards this weekend for Hassocks with the journey west to face Pagham.
The Lions already have one win over Hassocks this season having eliminated the Robins from the first round of the Sussex Transport Senior Cup at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground back in September.
Hassocks will therefore be out for revenge against familiar foes who used to dominate this fixture – although not so much in recent times.
Pagham this season
This is Pagham’s second season back in the Southern Combination after a difficult one-year spell in the Wessex League during 2022-23.
The Lions are continuing to rebuild following the issues caused by the FA forcing that sideways move upon them and currently sit 16th on four wins.
Two of those have come in their previous three Premier Division matches against Little Common and Loxwood as Pagham begin to find some form just in time for the Robins’ visit.
Pagham v Hassocks head-to-head
The Lions have been one of the most frequent opponents for Hassocks through the Robins’ 42 years as a Southern Combination club.
There have been 61 matches with Pagham winning 29. Hassocks have been victorious on 23 occasions, leaving only nine draws.
The 2010s were a particular graveyard for the Robins in the fixture, losing 12 times out of 16 between 2012 and 2019.
Last time Hassocks played Pagham
Hassocks rang the chances for the Sussex Transport Senior Cup first round meeting two months ago. But even so, it was a Robins side good enough to progress in the competition.
That meant losing 2-0 to a Carl Brown brace felt disappointing at the time. Although if avoiding extra matches in a competition the Robins were never going to win makes a difference come the business end of the Premier Division season, you won’t catch any Hassocks fans complaining!
How to get to Nyetimber Lane
Journey west on the A27 to Chichester. Once on the bypass, take the second exit at the second roundabout onto Vinnetrow Road.
At the next roundabout it’s a left onto the B2166 Lagness Road which eventually turns into Pagham Road.
After passing on a Tesco on your left, Nyetimber Lane is the next round on the left with the ground pretty much immediately on the right.
Admission is £7 adults, £4 concessions and free for Under 16s.
