There’s August Bank Holiday Monday Football at the Beacon as Hassocks welcome high-flying Lancing to Mid Sussex in Southern Combination League Premier Division action.
Lancing were one of several Premier Division sides to try a change of manager in the summer – and with four wins from four games coming into this one, the table suggests the decision is paying off handsomely.
Former Hassocks player Naim Rouane was the man handed the keys to Culver Road and he’s yet to drop so much as a Premier Division point at the helm – with goal difference all that separates the Lancers from Eastbourne Town who currently sit top of the early season table.
Much of that success has come because of the goals of Lewis Finney, who Rouane brought back to the club in the summer and made his captain for good measure.
Finney has responded with 10 so far, adding to the century he scored during his previous spell with the club – his 100th came in a 4-0 Lancing win here at the Beacon in 2017.
It’s impressive stuff from a club who suffered somewhat of a disjointed campaign last time out. They started well enough. Under the management of Ash Bailey, the Lancers embarked on an impressive run to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, knocking Haywards Heath Town out along the way.
Bailey stepped down soon after however and a number of his new signings subsequently left the club. That might have completely destabilised some teams but new boss Mark Pulling did well to steady the ship, leading Lancing to a 13th place finish, one point worse off than Hassocks. Judging by the start they’ve made this time around, they seem certain to better that this season.
The good news for the neutrals is that games between these two are usually full of entertainment and goals, helped by the large turnover in players between the two clubs.
Hassocks could name up to four former Lancers in their side. Goalkeeper Josh Green was Lancing number one when they lifted the Peter Bentley League Cup in 2016, their first piece of silverware at senior level for 50 years.
Bradley Tighe, Jack Rowe-Hurst and Lewis Westlak have all had spells at Culver Road, while Alex Bygraves and Jack Baden could both be involved for the Lancers.
As for the goals, well the 29 previous meetings have yielded over 100 at an average of well over three per game, so this is definitely one to have on the over 2.5 selection on Bet365. Watch it finish 0-0 now.
Last April saw Dan Stokes score with virtually the last kick of the game in a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw at Culver Road. Hassocks had been 2-0 behind with an hour played.
That was preceded by a 3-1 win for the Robins in front of a big Beacon crowd on Boxing Day. Jonathan Lansdale had given the visitors a 1-0 lead going into the break but second half goals from Phil Johnson, Liam Benson and Jake Lindsey secured all three points for Mark Dalgleish’s side.
Kick off at the Beacon is at 11am and entrance is £6 adults, £3 concessions and Under 16s go free. The T Bar and Robins Bar will be open for hot food and drink and alcoholic refreshments and a 36 page programme is available for the bargain price of £1.
