Hassocks Under 23s kick off the second half of their season with a tough looking trip to Broadbridge Heath.
The Robins will be looking to make 2019 the year in which they lift their first piece of silverware at Under 23 level. Nigel Pearce’s side currently sit second in the West Division of the Southern Combination League, three points behind leaders Horsham YMCA but with two games in hand.
They start the chase at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre against a Bears side who have three wins, three defeats and two draws to their name from eight games so far.
That record leaves them in eighth place. Despite that lowly league position, they’ve claimed two notable scalps with victories over a Lancing side who were still in the title race at that point in time and an opening day win over reigning champions Pagham.
Heath’s other success came against Selsey, the only side to date to have beaten Hassocks in the league.
This is the first season that the Bears have entered an Under 23 team and as such this will be the first meeting between them and the Robins at this level of football.
The last time Hassocks and Heath met below first team level came in the 2015-16 season. Hassocks were members of the fledgling Under 21 league while the Bears were still running a side in the Reserve Premier when they were paired together in the Sussex Intermediate Cup first round.
Heath’s experience eventually won them the day as they triumphed 4-3 at the Beacon. Josh Newman scored twice for the Robins alongside James Littlejohn.
This will be the hosts first run out since exiting the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Rottingdean Village. That game took place on November 29th, six weeks ago which could leave them a little ring rusty.
Hassocks in contrast won 3-1 four weeks ago away at East Preston, a hugely impressive result against the side currently sitting third in the table thanks to a Matt Berridge brace and one from Max Willcox.
Kick off at the Leisure Centre on Thursday night is at 7.45pm.
