Late switch to Church Road 3G guarantees a games for the Robins
Church Road, Whyteleafe is not where Hassocks had expected to kick off 2022 but a late venue change should ensure that the Robins get to play a game for the first time in over two weeks barring some sort of unusual weather event.
With the heavy rain of the past week making it increasingly likely that Lingfield’s Godstone Road would be waterlogged, the Lingers have moved the fixture to the 3G pitch at Church Road. Kick off remains at 11am.
The change means the Robins do not suffer another postponement, having seen their Boxing Day trip to Crawley Down Gatwick called off.
That ruined the chance to build some festive momentum following the excellent 1-1 draw with Southern Combination League Premier Division leaders Saltdean United the week before Christmas.
Lingfield’s recent fixture list has been even more decimated. The Lingers have played just one league match since November 27th, securing an impressive 1-0 win at Peacehaven & Telscombe on the same afternoon that Hassocks held the Tigers.
Lingfield this season
13th place in the table with eight wins, two draws and 10 defeats only tells half the story for Lingfield, who have spent most of the campaign living a nomadic existence on the road – explaining their decision to move Hassocks’ visit to Whyteleafe to get the game played.
Of their 21 matches so far, 14 have taken place away from home – so if they can make Godstone Road (or Church Road) a fortress in the second half of the campaign, then they will expect to start making progress up the division.
Two results highlight what dangerous opponents Lingfield can be – a 3-1 win at Little Common who were flying in the top five at the time and a commanding 6-2 victory at Horsham YMCA.
Lingfield v Hassocks head-to-head
There have been 29 meetings between Hassocks and Lingfield in the past with the Robins leading the head-to-head with 12 wins to the Lingers’ 10.
Most of Lingfield’s success in the fixture has come since they won promotion back to the Premier Division for the 2018-19 campaign.
In the previous seven meetings, Hassocks have won only once – a 3-2 league success delivered by a Phil Johnson brace and a goal from Jake Lindsey.
Last time Hassocks played Lingfield
When the Premier Division fixtures were originally released, Hassocks had been due to visit Lingfield on August Bank Holiday Monday.
The fixture was however switched to the Beacon at the request of the Lingers. This worked out well for Hassocks, who completed an extraordinary 48 hours in which they took four points from two games despite early red cards in both.
On the Saturday, the Robins had beaten Steyning Town 2-0 despite playing for over an hour with 10 men following the dismissal of Luke Marshall.
Connor Bradley was sent off at a near-identical time against the Lingers on the Monday and yet Hassocks still managed to secure a 1-1 draw. Robins top scorer Alfie Loversidge got the goal with Jamie Bakhit equalising for the visitors.
How to get to Church Road
Take the M23 and join the M25 heading anticlockwise towards the Dartford Crossing. Exit the M25 at junction 6 and follow the Caterham bypass towards Whyteleafe.
Cross over the roundabout and past the Ann Summers head office on the right. Just before reaching Whyteleafe Station, turn left onto Salmons Lane and then right onto Church Road. The football ground is halfway up on the right.
Admission prices are £5 adults, £3 for over 65s and under 16s go free. The bar will be open for hot and cold drinks.
