After last week’s high drama brought about by Jack Troak’s 95th minute winner against Lancing, there is more action under the Beacon floodlights as Hassocks welcome Steyning Town this Tuesday night.
The Barrowman have been on a real rise over the past five years since their 3G pitch was installed at the Shooting Field. The highlight was undoubtedly the 2018-19 season, when Gerry Murphy led Steyning to promotion from Division One as runners up to Alfold as well as lifting the Division One Cup.
That success brought Premier Division football to Steyning for the first time in 33 years and they were going well on their return to the top flight before the season was declared null and void, sitting in 10th spot.
Murphy was appointed as a full time general manager in the summer, a move that reflects Steyning’s importance in the community, the benefits of having a 3G pitch and the confidence that the club have in continuing to move forwards.
Back in the 1980s, the Barrowmen were one of the biggest clubs in Sussex, winning Sussex Senior Cups, Southern Combination League titles, Peter Bentley and Sussex RUR Charity Cups.
Could they return to those all-conquering days? The ambition is certainly there to do so and their early season form in the FA Cup has shown that they can be a match for anyone in the Premier Division on their day.
Steyning Town this season
Steyning’s campaign so far has been all about their FA Cup exploits. They will arrive at the Beacon riding high having picked up two very noteworthy victories in the past fortnight to advance to the first qualifying round of the competition.
On Saturday, a bumper crowd at the Shooting Field was treated to an excellent 2-1 victory over Hanworth Villa of the Combined Counties League Premier Division. In the previous round, Murphy and his men eliminated K Sports of the Southern Counties East League via a 2-0 away win.
It is fair to say that Southern Combination League clubs have not had a great recent record against opponents from outside of our league, so for the Barrowmen to eliminate two such teams is a real achievement.
Steyning will now face Sheppey United, another Southern Counties East League Premier Division outfit next Tuesday 22nd September. Should they win, then it would be the furthest that Town have ever gone in the competition.
Perhaps understandably, Steyning are yet to get going in the Premier Division with their attention diverted by the FA Cup. They have lost two games out of two so far, going down 3-0 at AFC Uckfield Town on the opening weekend before losing 1-0 against early table toppers Saltdean United.
Hassocks’ record against Steyning Town
Meetings between the Robins and Steyning have been few and far between owing to the time the Barrowmen spent outside of the Southern Combination League after winning their second title in 1986.
The sides first met in the 1993-94 season in Division One with 10 meetings following over the next 27 years; one in the Premier Division last season, four in Division One, four in the Sussex Senior Cup and one in the Sussex RUR Charity Cup. Hassocks have won six, drawn three and lost one of those matches.
Last time we met?
It was a crazy afternoon at the Beacon back in January in which Hassocks picked up three big points thanks to a 2-1 victory. If this Tuesday’s game is half as entertaining, then those in attendance will be in for a treat.
Steyning went down to 10 men in the 37th minute after Mayckol Sabino kicked out at Will Broomfield and former Hassocks favourite Jamie Weston joined him in having an early bath midway through the second half after a very harsh red.
The numerical advantage certainly helped the Robins as goals from Dan Stokes and Harvey Enitcknap put Hassocks 2-0 ahead. Despite having only nine on the pitch, Steyning pulled one back via Conor Bull to set up a nervy finish in which the hosts just held on.
Important information for fans attending the game
There are no advance tickets for the Steyning Town game. It is pay on the gate and entrance is £6 adults, £3 concessions and under 16s go free. The Beacon is now accepting contactless payments at the turnstiles and in the clubhouse.
Upon entry, we need to collect supporters’ details for track and trace reasons. If you have the relevant app, you can scan a QR code on your phone upon entry. If not, then please fill in the contact form when you arrive at the ground.
Once inside the ground, supporters are asked to maintain social distancing at all times. The clubhouse is operating a one way system: entrance is through the pitchside doors between the dugouts and exit is via the doors by the turnstiles.
Supporters are asked to wear masks inside unless they are eating or drinking or are medically exempt. The Robins Bar will be serving a range of craft beers from local breweries which proved very popular last week and the T Bar will be open for hot drinks and food. Our award winning matchday programme will be available for £1.
There is plenty of hand sanitiser positioned around the ground so please use as much as you need. Most important of all, enjoy yourself. That will not be hard if the game ends up being as entertaining as last Tuesday night against Lancing.
