Robins are Lashmar-bound for a big Saturday afternoon of football
Hassocks return to Southern Combination League Premier Division action following an enforced two week break with a trip south west to face East Preston.
A quick glance at the table tells you all you need to know about how important this one is. EP are one of only two teams below Hassocks in the standings, the Robins having suffered a 1-0 defeat away at fellow strugglers Loxwood in their previous outing a fortnight ago.
The visit of high-flying Pagham to the Beacon last Saturday was postponed due to the monsoon which hit Mid Sussex overnight.
Hassocks should therefore be heading to the Lashmar refreshed after a hectic opening two months to the campaign.
East Preston this season
East Preston spent most of the curtailed 2020-21 season in the bottom three of the Premier Division. Things have not been much better so far this time around and like Hassocks, they are firmly rooted in the relegation battle with over a third of the campaign played.
15 games are yet to yield a single victory with their record reading four draws, 11 defeats and only 10 goals scored.
Hassocks have been here before of course; the Robins went to rock-bottom Loxwood who had not won in 22 attempts in the 2019-20 season just before lockdown arrived. The Magpies were 3-0 ahead inside of 30 minutes and cruising to their first victory of the campaign.
If Hassocks are to return from EP with a result, then they will need to deliver a showing in keeping with their 4-1 win over AFC Varndeanians rather than that trip to Plaistow Road 18 months ago – or indeed, their efforts at Loxwood 14 days ago.
Easier said than done, especially since EP have shown signs of improvement in their two most recent cup outings.
They eliminated Southern Counties East side Crowborough Athletic from the Sussex Senior Cup with a shock 3-1 away from home, following that up with a 4-2 victory over Billingshurst in the Sussex RUR Charity Cup.
East Preston v Hassocks head-to-head
There have been 45 meetings between the two sides, making EP one of Hassocks’ most frequent opponents. The Robins have won 16 of those matches, there have been 10 draws and EP have tasted success on the remaining 19 occasions.
EP are normally good for a goal or two in the fixture as well, having scored 82 times against Hassocks. The majority of those came during EP’s domination of the Southern Combination League under the management of Dom Di Paolo between 2013 and 2014.
Last time Hassocks played East Preston
It was a crazy, crazy Tuesday evening at the Lashmar last October. Hassocks sauntered into a 4-0 half time lead against their hosts who propped up the table at the time.
Centre back George Brown scored an unlikely brace alongside an excellent strike from top scorer Charliie Pitcher and one from Harvey Enticknap.
That really should have been that, but EP launched an incredible comeback in the second half to leave the Robins hanging on for dear life by the end.
Connor Bull netted two and a Jack Gardner own goal set up a nervy final five minutes. Hassocks managed to see it out thanks to a stunning, perfectly timed slide tackle from Dan Turner as they won 4-3.
How to get to the Lashmar
Take the A259 through Worthing heading through Littlehampton. After going through Worthing and passing Roundstone Farm on your right, take the first exit at the roundabout onto Old Worthing Road.
Cross the railway line, taking a left after it followed by the next right onto Roundstone Drive and the ground is at the end of the road on the left.
Admission to the Lashamr is £7 adults and £4 for concessions. The bar and hot food are available and EP’s matchday programme is on sale for £2.
