It’s a rare Friday night outing for Hassocks Under 23s as they kick off a busy weekend of football with a trip to take on Lancing in West Division action.
The Robins will enter the game on something of a high after their cup exploits last week. Dave John’s side eliminated Isthmian League side Three Bridges from the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup with a shock penalty shoot out win at Jubilee Field.
Nothing could separate Hassocks or Bridges over 120 minutes, Alfie Loversidge’s first two goals for the Under 23s and an extra time strike from George Galbraith-Gibbons ensuring spot kicks had to decide the tie.
All 10 outfield players were required to take with Hassocks eventually triumphing 8-7. It was an impressive way to bounce back from two disappointing defeats to Worthing United and East Preston.
The Robins will now hope to transfer that cup form into an improvement in their league standings. Hassocks are seventh in the table, once place and one point below Lancing which makes this an important clash for both sides at Culver Road.
Much like Hassocks, the Lancers’ main problem has been a struggle for consistency. Nothing sums that up more than their last result, a 2-1 defeat against a Broadbridge Heath side who they had hammered 4-1 only three weeks previously.
The similarities both in form and league position point to a close game, which was also the case when these two met last season. The first of those occasions came on the opening day when the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw at Culver Road, Max Willcox getting the Hassocks goal.
The second meeting came two months later at the Beacon where the Robins just did about enough to win 3-2 and remain top of the table ahead of Horsham YMCA on goal difference.
Luke Richards gave the Lancers the lead twice, opening the scoring in the fifth minute and then notching his second in the 53rd, either side of a 25th minute own goal which had drawn Hassocks level.
Will Glenn got the hosts’ second equaliser just past the hour mark before substitute George Galbraith-Gibbons struck what proved to be the winner 15 minutes from time.
If this latest instalment is anywhere near as entertaining, then those planning to attend at Lancing should be in for a treat. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
