Hassocks have confirmed their pre-season friendly schedule ahead of the 2021-22 Southern Combination League season with six home matches across an action packed July.
The Ann John Trophy will kick things off on Tuesday July 6th with Jay Lovett bringing Burgess Hill Town to the Beacon for the annual fundraiser for St Peter & St James Hospice.
Hill are the reigning champions having easily despatched the Robins 8-1 back in December in a hastily-arranged match once the November lockdown was lifted.
Jack Troak scored the Hassocks goal from the penalty spot and although the day did not go according to plan on the pitch for the hosts, a record-breaking amount of £1500 was donated to St Peter & St James despite the unusual situation of playing the game on a cold winter day.
Hopefully, even more money can be raised with the match back in its normal summer spot. Kick off will be at 7.30pm and admission prices will be released a little nearer the time.
Division One opponents Oakwood will visit the Beacon on Saturday 10th July at 3pm. The clubs last shared a division in the 2008-09 campaign when Oakwood were a top flight outfit.
The most recent meeting came in April of that season, a 1-0 win for the hosts at Tinsley Lane. Hassocks had earlier beaten the Oaks 3-1 in Mid Sussex a month earlier through goals from Sol Bowra, Adam Williams and Anthony Hibbert.
Another Division One opponent provides the opposition on Tuesday 13th July with Shoreham visiting at 7.45pm. The Musselmen enjoyed their previous trip to the Beacon, a 5-0 win in April 2019 which unfortunately proved too little, too late to help them avoid relegation.
On Saturday 17th July, Premier Division newcomers Littlehampton Town are the visitors. Town have been outstanding in the two seasons curtailed, sitting top of Division One on both occasions to earn a rightful promotion to the top flight for the new campaign.
Hassocks last faced Littlehampton in an April friendly before the start of the Southern Combination Supplementary Shield. An entertaining clash at the St Flora Sportsfield ended 2-2.
Isthmian League side Haywards Heath Town make the short journey to the Beacon on Tuesday 20th July, kick off at 7.45pm. Shaun Saunders’ side have been regular friendly opponents for Hassocks since they won the Southern Combination League title in the 2017-18 season.
Last year’s clash ended 2-1 to Heath. Phil Gault scored the Robins consolation, netting against one of his former clubs after returning to Hassocks from a spell in the Mid Sussex League.
The final friendly sees Hassocks welcome one of Heath’s fellow Isthmian League clubs. Sutton Common Rovers will visit on Saturday 24th July at 3pm. The Premier Division season gets underway a week later on Saturday 31st July.
Three friendlies have been arranged for the Under 23s against Mid Sussex League opponents. The Robins host Lindfield on Wednesday 28th July, Balcombe on Thursday 5th August and Cuckfield Rangers on Thursday 12th August, All those games kick off at 7.30pm.
Hassocks pre-season friendlies 2021-22:
- Tuesday 6th July, 7.30pm: Burgess Hill Town (H)
- Saturday 10th July, 3pm: Oakwood (H)
- Tuesday 13th July, 7.45pm: Shoreham (H)
- Saturday 17th July, 3pm: Littlehampton Town (H)
- Tuesday 20th July, 7.45pm: Haywards Heath Town (H)
- Saturday 24th July, 3pm: Sutton Common Rovers (H)
Hassocks Under 23s pre-season friendlies 2021-22:
- Wednesday 28th July, 7.30pm: Lindfield (H)
- Thursday 5th August, 7.30pm: Balcombe (H)
- Thursday 12th August, 7.30pm: Cuckfield Rangers (H)
