Hassocks face a tough task if they are to extend their unbeaten run to five games with title challenging Horsham YMCA the next visitors to the Beacon on Saturday.
Peter Buckland’s side are bidding for a first Southern Combination League title since 2006 and a return to the Isthmian League for the first time since 2011 and they look in a relatively decent position to do it, currently sitting third in the table with 16 games left to play.
YM have dropped points in recent weeks but that is very much against the grain as until last Saturday’s defeat against Shoreham, they hadn’t lost to anyone outside of the top six.
The fact is that they simply don’t drop points against sides lower down the table, with their losses coming against Chichester City, Pagham, Broadbridge Heath and Saltdean United United.
Any side that isn’t in the top six they’ve swatted aside with consummate ease so far this season in the league, a fact that points to just what a difficult afternoon is in store for the Robins
If that wasn’t bad enough, then Hassocks’ record against YM doesn’t exactly inspire confidence either. Hassocks have won just 11 times in 46 meetings with YM, losing 25.
There is the small crumb of comfort that this game takes place at the Beacon as the Robins record at Gorings Mead is even worse with just two league victories there since the turn of the decade.
One weapon that Hassocks do have in their armory is striker Phil Johnson, who returned to the Beacon this summer after two-and-a-half goal filled seasons with YMCA.
Everyone at Hassocks knows only too well Johnson’s liking for scoring against his former clubs as the Robins were on the end of it more often than not during his time at Gorings Mead, so no doubt Mark Dalgleish will be hoping that his top scorer can repeat the trick here.
Johnson’s spot at the top of the scoring charts for YM has been taken by Dave Brown and he leads the way with 14 goals although in truth, Buckland’s side have goals all over the park, as you would expect from a side with 54 to their name already this season.
Kick off at the Beacon is at 3pm and entrance is priced at £6 adults, £3 concessions and Under 16s go free. Both the Robins Bar and the T Bar will be open with hot food and drink and alcohol on sale.
For anyone travelling to the Beacon via train, there are no engineering works on the Brighton Mainline which means you’ll just have to deal with the unreliable Southern service instead.
