Combined Counties leaders Beckenham Town visit the Beacon in FA Vase
The Buildbase FA Vase comes to the Beacon for the second qualifying stage with Hassocks facing a very difficult test against Combined Counties Premier South league leaders Beckenham Town at the Beacon.
Whilst Hassocks were given a bye to this stage of the competition, Becks were busy racking up a 5-0 away at Southern Counties East side K Sports to secure their trip to Mid Sussex.
There is a decent amount of prize money on the line for clubs reaching the first round proper – not to mention that a potential Wembley final is only eight games away.
It looks on paper a tough game for the Robins, but they will at least go into it having taken a little confidence from a 4-2 defeat against Southern Combination League leaders Littlehampton Town last weekend.
Most of the Golds’ victories so far this season have been achieved at a canter, so to have pushed them so close was a decent achievement for Hassocks – especially as going 2-0 down inside of 13 minutes could have caused the floodgates to open.
Some dogged defending and a willingness to battle got the Robins back into the tie at 2-2 on the hour mark. Those qualities will no doubt be needed against Beckenham if an upset is to be on the cards.
Beckenham Town this season
Beckenham are one of the oldest non-league clubs still in existence and their 125th anniversary celebrations next year could be made doubly exciting by what is happening on the pitch so far this season.
Becks were victims of a sideways move by the FA in the summer, shifting from their long-term home of the South East Counties League into the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
Things are working out pretty well so far in their new home. Jason Huntley’s side are top of the table with seven wins and one draw from their eight games to date.
For an idea of how that stacks up compared to the Southern Combination League, Horley Town are currently fourth, some six points behind Beckenham following their own sideways move from this parish to the Combined Counites.
Horley were Saltdean United’s closest pursuers before last season was curtailed, so for them to be that far behind Beckenham already is a sign of the quality that Huntley has assembled in his squad.
If promotion to step four does end up arriving in seven months time, then it will be more than deserved for Becks’ efforts over the past two null and void seasons.
In 2019-20, they were top of the South East Counties Premier. A fascinating four-way battle for the two promotion spots was taking place and the likelihood is that Beckenham would have filled one of those places.
They took a while to get going last season, perhaps as a result of the disappointment of being denied a place at the higher level by the controversial decision to simply write the previous campaign off.
Becks were however beginning to find some form when the December lockdown arrived, bringing another campaign to an early conclusion. They had been fifth when 2020-21 was abandoned.
Hassocks v Beckenham Town head-to-head
This will be the first time that Hassocks and Beckenham Town have met in any form of football. Hassocks have faced Combined Counties opposition in the FA Cup already this season, losing 2-1 at home to Spelthorne Sports.
That was a particularly cruel evening at the Beacon. The Robins led for 83 minutes after Alfie Loversidge’s early opener, only to concede twice in second half injury time to be dumped out of the competition.
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.
