Such is the quick turnaround in the Southern Combination League Premier Division Supplementary Shield that Hassocks find themselves taking on Crawley Down Gatwick once again, just 11 days after the sides last met at the Haven.
That fixture kicked off the Robins’ Group C campaign. The competition has now passed its halfway point and things are delicately poised with any one of the group’s four teams – Lingfield, Hassocks, Crawley Down and Horley Town – still capable of topping the table and qualifying for the semi finals.
Just three points separates the sides, who all have to play the others once more. The biggest surprise is that it is not Horley leading the way. The Clarets had been second in the Premier Division table when the season was curtailed and yet they find themselves bottom of Group C, having lost to both Hassocks and Down.
The Robins and the Anvils are locked on four points each and there was nothing to split them in that last encounter which finished 2-2. Games between Down and Hassocks always tend to have goals and entertainment and what happens at the Haven will have a big bearing on whether it is one of these clubs who progress to the final four.
Unfortunately, no supporters are currently allowed to attend in line with current government and FA guidelines. We hope to be able to keep you up-to-date with proceedings at the Haven through our Twitter account.
Crawley Down Gatwick this season
Crawley Down’s Supplementary Shield campaign has seen them draw with Hassocks, lose at the death to Lingfield and then beat Horley Town. In the regular season, they recorded seven wins, one draw and three defeats from 11 matches to sit sixth in the table.
The 2020-21 season will best be remembered by regulars at the Haven for Down’s FA Cup exploits. They eliminated two sides from outside the Southern Combination League in Crowborough Athletic and Egham Town, before exiting in the first qualifying round in a close fought 2-1 defeat away at Southern League Premier Division club Hendon.
Hassocks’ record against Crawley Down Gatwick
Draws are a rarity in the fixture, which made that stalemate last time out something of a surprise. The clubs have met 20 times in senior football since 2005 with Hassocks winning nine and Down seven. Four matches have now finished level.
As already noted, goals are never in short supply when the Robins face Down. 78 have been plundered at an average of nearly four a game, including 19 in the past four encounters. Some of the more ridiculous score lines of the past five years include 5-3 and 6-4 wins for Hassocks.
Last time Hassocks played Crawley Down Gatwick
Ollie Moore gave Down the lead with 33 minutes played at the Haven after a through ball slipped under the foot of Dan Turner. Hassocks’ young centre back made up for that though with a towering header from an Alfie Loversidge cross four minutes into the second half.
Pat Harding then scored his first goal in Hassocks colours for 15 years, finishing with aplomb for the 132nd of his Robins’ career after industrious work from Josh Short played him in.
The visitors though could not quite hold on as the unfortunate Bradley Tighe marked his first appearance since re-joining Hassocks from Seaford Town with an own goal, slashing a Tiago Andrade shot past Dave Carruthers with his shin whilst attempting to clear.
