For the second week running, Hassocks Under 23s will take on Horsham YMCA Under 23s as this time these two rivals meet in the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup.
At stake is a place in round three of the competition. This will be the third meeting already this season between YM and the Robins, with YM having won the previous two encounters 2-1.
The most recent of those came just seven days ago and it was a game filled with entertainment and goals at the Beacon. George Galbraith-Gibbons had given the Robins a first half lead with his seventh minute equaliser, only for Rhys Nashe and Jack Ryder to ensure that the three points went to the visitors.
Those goals were only the start of an interesting evening for the two YM goalscorers as they would both go onto received red cards late in the game.
Nashe was dismissed with three minutes remaining while Ryder saw red in the seventh minute of injury time. Although the two sending offs came too late to have an impact on the game, those two players will be suspended for this week’s clash which could boost the Robins’ chances – especially as Ryder has been a constant thorn in their side.
He netted both of YM’s goals in the first league meeting at Gorings Mead back in September. Liam Benson scored the Hassocks consolation on that occasion.
Those results have put YM in a strong position to retain the West Division title they beat Hassocks to last season. The Robins and YM were pretty much neck-and-neck right up until mid-April, after which Hassocks managed to pick up only one point from their final five games.
YM meanwhile embarked on an imperious run with their first championship at Under 23 level being all but confirmed when they defeated the Robins 2-1 at Gorings Mead.
First half goals from Bradley Ross and Leon Eales did the damage. James Littlejohn did manage to pull one back for the Robins on the hour mark to set up a tense final 30 minutes but Hassocks were unable to force an equaliser.
The previous meeting had finished 1-1 at the Beacon, Christopher Maxted’s opener for YM being cancelled out by an equaliser from Connor Bradley early in the second half.
Eight points ended up being the points difference between YM in first and Hassocks in second last season. With Hassocks currently floundering in mid table, it will almost certainly be more this time around.
The Robins have enjoyed their cup outings however, pulling off a shock in the last round of the competition by eliminating Isthmian League side Three Bridges on penalties following a 3-3 draw.
Hassocks will be hoping for a similar upset again at Gorings Mead, where kick off is at the slightly earlier time of 7.30pm.
