Hassocks will make their first ever trip to Alfold on Tuesday 3rd December after the rearranged date for the Robins’ visit to Surrey was confirmed.
Kick off was just 10 minutes away at Alfold Recreation Ground on Saturday 9th November when the referee decided that the pitch was unplayable.
That followed a deluge of rain on the day of the game which denied Hassocks the chance to face the Southern Combination League Premier Division newcomers for the first ever time.
The historic meeting now moves to the first Tuesday in December with a 7.45pm kick off under the lights at the Recreation Ground.
Alfold are making a good impression on the top flight in their debut campaign at this level. They’ve have won five, drawn three and lost four of their 12 games so far to sit in an extremely comfortable mid table position.
Survival is the name of the game for the Fold this year following their rapid ascent through the non league pyramid. As recently as the 2014-15 season, Alfold were plying their trade in the West Sussex League.
Three promotions in the subsequent four seasons have taken them from Division Two to the Premier Division in what has been a whirlwind last few years for the club.
Last season was their debut in senior football and they took to it like a duck to water, breezing through Division One at the first time of asking.
They ended the campaign as champions, showing remarkable consistency over the course of the year to beat Steyning Town to the title.
There were big strides forward taken off the pitch as well. Their Alfold Recreation Ground on Dunsfold Road in the village had a new stand and LED floodlights installed as well as perimeter pathways and fencing.
Work that should have taken around two years to complete was done in around six months, highlighting the extraordinary dedication of those behind the scenes at Alfold to achieving their dream of Premier Division football.
The new date means that Hassocks will face a gruelling schedule of six fixtures in the space of 21 days. That run starts with Tuesday night’s home game against AFC Uckfield Town and encompasses the weekend meeting with Newhaven, the visit of Little Common to the Beacon on Tuesday 26th November, Peacehaven & Telscombe at home on Saturday 30th and then finally this trip to Alford in 11 days time.
