One of the toughest trips of the season is up next for Hassocks as the Robins face the daunting task of taking on Southern Combination League Premier Division leaders Lancing at Culver Road.
With over half the season now gone, the Lancers find themselves six points clear of nearest rivals Peacehaven & Telscombe at the top of the table.
They’ve never won the title before and they might not get a better opportunity than this, having lost just once all season. It’s been a remarkable story for a side who finished below the Robins in the league last season.
The summer appointment of former Hassocks Under 18s player Naim Rouane as manager has proven to be an inspired decision. Rookie boss Rouane has introduced a new ideas and a new style of play and his players have responded in an extraordinary manner.
Twice already this season Hassocks have seen for themselves what a good side Lancing are. They came to the Beacon in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup back in November, winning 4-1 to book a plum tie away at Crawley Town.
The Premier Division’s top scorer Lewis Finney netted twice that night along with James Beresford and Thomas Caplin. James Littlejohn notched the Hassocks consolation and although Lancing were deserved winners, the most notable aspect of the evening was how clinical they were having scored four times from just six or seven shots on target.
August Bank Holiday Monday’s Premier Division meeting was much closer. The Lancers arrived in Mid Sussex having not dropped a point all season but Hassocks could consider themselves very unlucky not to have taken something on a glorious morning under the Mid Sussex sun.
Littlejohn was again the scorer, putting the Robins ahead on the hour mark. Two quick-fire goals in the space of 180 seconds from Lancing substitute Alex Fair soon turned the game on its head before Hassocks were given a glorious chance to claim a deserved point when they were handed a penalty in the final seconds.
Ben Bacon’s spot kick was a weak one though and young Lancing goalkeeper Taylor Seymour underlined his growing potentially by keeping it out, ensuring that the three points went back to Culver Road.
Traditionally, Hassocks and Lancing are similarly matched sides; when one enjoys a good period, so do the other. Both were regular challenges for top five spots in the early part of the last decade while the middle saw them battling at the other end of the table.
That’s reflected in an even head-to-head record. In 29 meetings to date, Hassocks have won 11, Lancing 11 with seven draws thrown in.
There’s also an air of familiarity between the clubs which has been forged by the large number of players to have represented both teams over the course of the past 10 years or so.
Mark Dalgleish could name three former Lancers in his squad for Saturday in Liam Benson, Kit Tregear and Josh Green. Rouane himself had a spell at the Beacon without ever breaking into the first team squad, as did Lancing captain Alex Bygraves who is sadly sidelined with a broken leg. Matt Berridge meanwhile made the swap from Robin to Lancer in October.
Kick off at Culver Road is at 3pm.
