The Beacon hosts its first football since the end of October and what better way for the turnstiles to reopen than with the annual Ann John Memorial Trophy match between Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town.
These two Mid Sussex rivals have met every year since 2014 to raise money for St Peter & St James in honour of Ann, a friendly and supporter face around the Beacon as the much-missed wife of Dave John
This year’s event was unable to take place in its normal summer berth for obvious reasons. Everyone at Hassocks is delighted that a way has been found for the game to go ahead in 2020 and would like to thank Jay Lovett and Hill for making it possible, especially when the Hospice is in need of donations following a tough eight months in which fundraising has dried up considerably.
Kick off is at 1pm and entrance is via a pay-what-you-can-afford donation. History suggests that the football on show will be entertaining as the previous six instalments have all been high scoring affairs.
The first Ann John Trophy match took place in 2014 and finished 2-2 with the Hassocks goals coming from Phil Johnson and a 35 yard screamer from Dan Jacques. It was the same scoreline in 2015, Hill leading twice through Lee Harding and former Hassocks favourite Pat Harding with Jake Booth and then Jamie Hillwood levelling things up.
In the event of a draw, the Trophy is shared between the two sides. Hassocks were the first to win the trophy outright in 2016 when goals from Hillwood, Liam Benson and Craig Knowles swept aside a young Hillians side 3-0.
Arguably the most entertaining clash so far took place in 2017. Hassocks had sauntered into a 3-0 lead inside of an hour through Michael Death and a James Westlake brace, only for Hill to produce a stunning comeback which was rounded off by another ex-Robin in Sam Fisk, who grabbed a late equaliser for the visitors.
The past two editions have gone the way of the Hillians. A double from Aaron Smith-Joseph, a Kieron Pamment penalty and a Billy Barker tap in gave Hill a convincing 4-0 win in 2018 with last year’s match a 3-2 thriller which just went the way of the visitors.
Twice Hassocks led, first through Phil Johnson and then Will Broomfield with Warren Mfula and Tom Cadman levelling things up both times. It looked like the Trophy would be shared again until Mfula notched his second of the evening with just two minutes remaining.
Important information for fans attending the Ann John Memorial Trophy
Entrance is by donation and all supporters are asked to pay via contactless at the turnstiles if possible.
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. Two metre distancing has been marked around the Beacon to help with this.
Unfortunately, the club have been unable to secure the services of Gordon Ramsay to start cooking substantial meals and so the Clubhouse must remain closed for the foreseeable future. This means that both the Robins Bar and the T Bar will be shut for the afternoon.
