Steyning provide the opposition as Hassocks hope for a first win at the sixth attempt
Hassocks play the first of two home matches in the space of 48 hours over the August Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday afternoon when Steyning Town make the short journey to the Beacon.
Gerry Murphy’s side will be hoping to complete a Premier Division season at the third time of asking in 2021-22. In both 2019-20 and 2020-21, they were looking set to establish themselves as part of the furniture after over 30 years outside of the Southern Combination League’s top flight before the pandemic brought both seasons to an early conclusion.
So comfortable have the Barrowmen been since finishing as runners up in Division One in 2018-19 to earn promotion that it seems unbelievable that they are yet to partake in a Premier Division campaign which has played out to a finish.
Historically, there have been close ties between us and Barrowman. Throughout the past 10 years, numerous players have represented both clubs, thanks largely to Mark Dalgleish and John Suter sitting in the dugout as managers at both the Beacon and the Shooting Field.
That makes matches with Steyning an enjoyable occasion, even if they have been few and far between over the years. Saturday will represent only the 11th meeting in senior football between the clubs, and goodness knows how Hassocks could do with continuing their domination of the fixture having failed to win so far this season.
Steyning Town last season
2020-21 was on course to be a good one for the Barrowmen. They enjoyed a memorable run in the FA Cup, eliminating sides from both the Combined Counties League and the South Counties East League – something which not many Southern Combination League clubs manage.
In terms of the bread and butter of Premier Division football, they were going great guns too before curtailment in December, sitting 11th before the winter lockdown arrived having won six and lost seven of their 13 matches.
Steyning have continued that form into this season and aside from a 6-0 defeat at the hand of much-fancied Littlehampton Town, they have made a strong start to the current campaign.
The Barrowmen have won and drawn one of their other league matches, beating both Loxwood and Horsham YMCA and drawing with AFC Uckfield Town.
Steyning also took Sutton Common Rovers – whom Hassocks lost 6-0 to in pre-season – to an FA Cup replay last weekend as they again enjoyed further success in the world’s greatest cup competition.
Hassocks v Steyning Town head-to-head
As already mentioned, meetings between Hassocks and Steyning have been few and far between because of Town’s spell in the Wessex League during the 1990s following their domination of Sussex football throughout the 1980s, including two league titles and two Sussex Senior Cups.
11 times before the sides have faced off; twice in the Premier Division, four times in Division One, four times in the Sussex Senior Cup and once in the Sussex RUR Charity Cup. Hassocks have won six, drawn three and lost two of those matches.
Last time Hassocks played Steyning Town
Two pivotal moments inside the opening eight minutes occurred when Steyning visited the Beacon last September. Jack Troak missed a penalty and then immediately after, Charlie Pitcher left proceedings injured.
Goals proved hard to come by without Pitcher and although Troak did get on the scoresheet when giving the Robins the lead shortly after the squandered spot kick, Steyning ran out 3-1 winners as Tom Bold scored twice along with Cian Griffin-Tilley.
To complete a miserable evening, George Brown saw red for a horror challenge on Charlie Romain when the red mist descended after Brown had been on the end of an equally robust foul from Romain.
Admission prices and matchday information
Admission prices are £6 adults, £3 concessions with under 16s going free. The Clubhouse will be open for supporters with the Robins Bar selling a wide range of beers from local breweries and beyond and and the T Bar catering for hot food and drink. Contactless payments are available on the gate and in the Clubhouse.
Although all Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted, track and trace barcodes will still be available for those who wish to use them.
Masks are no longer mandatory inside but please wear one if you prefer and all two metre signage remains as a guide for those who wish to continue practicing social distancing. Hand sanitiser will also be provided around the ground.
