Hassocks play their second game of an action packed February this Saturday and it’s a massive fixture at Plaistow Road as the bottom two in the Southern Combination League Premier Division meet.
Loxwood are currently the only side below the Robins in the table and although they are yet to win a game so far this season, they’re not out of the battle to avoid the drop by any stretch of the imagination.
That’s down to the fact that the Magpies have been difficult to beat so far this season. They’ve drawn six games, the third highest number in the division after Steyning Town on eight and Langney Wanderers on seven.
If interim manager Mark Courtney can find a way for Loxwood to turn those stalemates into three points, then his side may yet find a way to pull off another great escape from relegation.
Courtney took over the reigns at Plaistow Road in the middle of January after the Magpies parted company with Alex Walsh after just over a year in charge.
Former Haywards Heath Town assistant manager Walsh had led Loxwood to Premier Division safety last season from what had seemed at one point a hopeless position, but this season has been another struggle which ultimately saw Walsh leave the club.
Courtney could name up to five former Hassocks players in his squad to host Hassocks. Spencer Slaughter and Josh Hawkes have been regulars throughout the season for Loxwood while defender Dan Webster recently joined from Oakwood. He had a brief spell at the Beacon at the start of the 2018-19 season.
Former Robins’ Under 18s captain Eddie French is registered as a player with the Magpies but has only featured twice as he winds down his illustrious career.
Hassocks’ all-time record goalscorer Phil Gault meanwhile has recently dual-signed from Mid Sussex Premier Division champions Cuckfield Rangers, although he is yet to play a game for Loxwood.
The Robins for their part have an ex-Magpie of their own. Harvey Enticknap was a part of the Loxwood youth setup who dominated the Sussex Under 18s scene in the middle part of the previous decade.
Hassocks will have good memories of their last trip to Plaistow Road. It came in September 2018 and saw Mark Dalgleish’s side run out 4-0 winners, their only victory to date at the Magpies Nest.
This will be the second meeting of the season between the side. The first came just over four months ago when Hassocks picked up an important three points in a 6-2 victory.
James Littlejohn scored his first senior hat-trick with a brace from Ben Bacon and a rare goal from young Joe Bull doing the damage.
It was a mixed afternoon for the two former Hassocks players on show on their first returns to the Beacon – Hawkes headed in a goal while Slaughter was sent off for trying to throttle Jack Troak.
That was the 11th meeting between the clubs since they first faced off in the 2014-15 campaign. The two Hassocks wins we’ve mentioned are in fact the Robins’ only two victories in the fixture.
Loxwood meanwhile have won six with three games being drawn. The last three clashes in particular have been hugely entertaining, with 18 goals flying in.
Kick off at Plaistow Road on Saturday is at 3pm and as normal, any support you can give the Robins on the road will be greatly appreciated in what is a real six pointer.
