Hassocks Under 23s play their first game of 2020 on Wednesday night and it’s a big one as Dave John’s side travel to Loxwood in the quarter finals of the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup.
The original November date was understandably postponed following the tragic of death of Loxwood player Suel Delgado a few days beforehand.
Plaistow Road was then waterlogged for the rearranged fixture, which had been due to take place in the week leading up to Christmas.
Should the game go ahead this time, it will be the first meeting at Under 23 level between the sides since the 2015-16 season.
The Magpies currently ply their trade in the Combined Counties League but back then, they were a Southern Combination Under 21 West Division outfit – and a very good one at that thanks to their outstanding youth set up, led by current Brighton Under 18s boss Mark Beard.
That year, the Magpies provided no less than seven players to the Sussex Under 18s Representative Squad who made history by reaching the FA County Youth Cup final against Liverpool. Many of those starred for Loxwood’s Under 21s as they swept their way to the league title.
As a result, it was two wins for the Magpies. Liam Benson scored Hassocks’ consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat at the Beacon in January 2016 and although the Robins got a little closer to the champions in the return game a month later, they still went down 3-2 with Andrew Roberts and Stuart Faith netting. That turned out to be Faith’s last ever goal in Hassocks colours.
The Robins have had the harder run to reach the last eight of the competition, the Robins having seen off Isthmian League side Three Bridges and reigning Southern Combination League West Division champions Horsham YMCA in the two previous rounds.
Those success have come as part of an impressive bout of recent form for Hassocks. John’s side have won their best three games in a row, plundering 15 goals along the way and should go into the game high in confidence despite the fact that they haven’t kicked a ball in anger since November 28th.
Loxwood have gone even longer without a fixture. They last played a Combined Counties game on October 30th, over two months ago.
The Magpies are enjoying a mixed season so far with two wins and three defeats from their five league games so far. Their own route to the quarter finals has seen them eliminate two of Hassocks’ West Division rivals, beating Southwick 3-2 before defeating Oakwood 2-0.
Kick off at Plaistow Road is at 7.45pm. Please keep an eye on our social media profiles for news of any postponement.
