The second of three consecutive home games takes place this Saturday as Hassocks welcome Peacehaven & Telscombe to the Beacon for this year’s Robins Christmas Jumper Day.
Anyone wearing a Christmas Jumper will receive half price entry for the Southern Combination League Premier Division clash in which Hassocks will be looking to upset both the league table and the recent history books to secure a result.
Peacehaven have dominated the fixture since it was first played in the 1990’s, securing 17 wins to Hassocks’ seven with seven draws thrown into the mix.
In 23 league meetings, Hassocks have only won four times with only one of those coming at the Sports Park.
The Robins will be glad to be at home for this one at least with their last victory against Peacehaven coming here in August 2016, a 2-1 success given to them via goals from Phil Gault and Nathan Miles.
That was the Tye’s first season back in the Southern Combination League after a whirlwind couple of years in which they swept everyone before them in climbing through the division before falling back down nearly as fast as they rose.
They were crowned Southern Combination champions at the end of the 2012-13 season and a year later followed it up by winning the Isthmian League South title at the first attempt as well as lifting the Sussex Senior Cup in a showpiece final at the Amex.
Life in the top flight of the Isthmian League was far harder than anyone could have imagined and back-to-back relegations as well as severe financial troubles followed.
The people of Peacehaven rallied though and the club became community owned to coincide with their return to local Sussex football, since when they’ve competed gamefully with a side full of local young players in a stark contrast the free-spending that went on as they rose through the pyramid.
With regards this season, its been a mixed campaign so far for the Tye.
They began it in impressive fashion and were challenging towards the top but have since dropped off slightly in the last couple of weeks, currently sitting in mid table at the time of writing.
They do however remain one of the best supported clubs in the division with an average attendance only exceeded by Eastbourne Town and the Robins will be hoping to welcome a number of away fans to the Beacon.
Also getting a warm welcome will be Bradley Bant who left the Beacon in September after nearly four years and 131 appearances for Hassocks to take up a new challenge at Peacehaven.
Bant became a popular member of the squad during his time with the Robins and it will be good to see him back, no matter how briefly.
Kick off is at 3pm and the Robins aren’t expecting there to be any problems with the pitch unless Mid Sussex is hit by unexpected rain.
The Robins bar will be serving alcohol throughout and the T Bar hot food and drinks. Full priced entrance is £6 adults and £3 concessions, but as already mentioned those prices are halved for those wearing Christmas Jumpers. All Under 16s go free.
