The Southern Combination League fixture list couldn’t have given Hassocks a harder first game away from home than Peacehaven & Telscombe.
The Robins have won only twice at the Sports Park from 11 previous visits in the league. The most recent of those was a brilliant 3-0 success for Mickey Jewell’s side in the 2011-12 season and the first was a 2-0 win in 1996-97 when the Tye were the reigning champions.
Hassocks’ overall record away at Peacehaven isn’t much better, reading four wins in 15. They were victorious there in the FA Vase in 2004-05 and the Sussex RUR Charity Cup of 1986-87, winning those games 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.
Peacehaven have won 16 of the 30 meetings between the two sides with Hassocks having chalked up just seven successes and there being seven draws.
The most recent of those Peacehaven wins came at the Beacon in March when the Tye inflicted on the Robins their heaviest defeat of the season.
It was 1-0 to the Tye at half time through a Dean Brown strike before a second half blitz saw the visitors net four times in the space of 24 minutes to run out 6-0 winners. Brown added another to his total, Josh Marshall claimed a hat-trick and Mikey Lloyd notched the sixth.
That victory was only Peacehaven’s seventh in their previous 21 games, a stark contrast to when the sides met at the Sports Park in October.
The hosts came into that clash joint top of the table, yet they had to rely on a piece of refereeing controversy to see off a spirited Hassocks performance.
The Robins looked good value for a point having twice led through Liam Benson and Michael Death. Frazer Massen and and Curtis Ford cancelled both of those out before Josh Tuck was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area by referee Anthony Andrews.
Hassocks joint-boss Phil Wickwar described the decision as “shocking” and Cam Wiltshere made no mistake from the response.
There was far less debate about Mr Andrews’ next decision when a mistimed Harry Mills tackle turned into an aerial dropkick on Marshall, earning a deserved red card.
Peacehaven’s title challenge fell away after that but with no one overwhelming favourite in the Premier Division this season, they could be dark horses this time around.
They pushed contenders Pagham close before losing 3-2 on the opening day and followed that up with a 2-1 win over Lingfield.
That win at East Court was particularly impressive as the Tye were actually trailing up until the 85th minute before two goals in the space of 90 seconds from Connor Martin and Ford earned the visitors all three points.
Kick off tomorrow is 3pm at the Sports Park and entrance is £6 adults, £4 concessions and under 16s go free.
