Eastbourne United a tough venue for Hassocks to maintain their unbeaten start
There was a time not so long ago when a trip to Eastbourne United used to mean three points for Hassocks. For reasons nobody ever worked out, the Robins won at the Oval on six consecutive visits between 2010 and 2019.
What made this even stranger is that United finished above Hassocks in all but two of those seasons when the Robins triumphed on the Sunshine Coast.
The hosts were proven the better team over a 38 game Southern Combination League Premier Division season and yet they could never find a way to beat Hassocks.
That impressive Robins record has been dampened a little by defeats for Hassocks on their past two visits. And despite Brad Sweetman’s side being unbeaten in 2022 so far, this latest trip to the Oval will provide a serious examination of their impressive start to the new year.
Eastbourne United this season
United endured a slow start to the season. When they visited the Beacon in October, they were only one point better off than Hassocks towards the bottom of the Premier Division, having won only twice all season.
The appointment of former AFC Uckfield Town boss Anthony Storey has proven to be a masterstroke by United and their victory that evening in Mid Sussex was the start of an impressive run of form which has lifted them into eighth spot in the table.
Eight wins have followed under Storey, feeding into an impressive overall record of 11 wins, five draws and eight defeats from 24 matches. Eyes at the Oval these days are firmly fixed up the table.
Eastbourne United v Hassocks head-to-head
Hassocks’ ridiculous record at the Oval has them leading the head-to-head with 18 wins to United’s 13.
12 draws round off the 43 meetings between the clubs, making United one of the Robins’ most frequent opponents in the Southern Combination League.
Last time Hassocks played Eastbourne United
It was a case of after the lord mayor’s show back in October. Hassocks followed up a 4-1 win over AFC Varndeanians with a 3-0 defeat to United 72 hours later, both games taking place at the Beacon.
Festos Kamara scored twice for the visitors and Max Thompson completed a miserable evening for the Robins when rounding off the rout in the final minute.
How to get to the Oval
Take the A27 to Eastbourne, joining the A22 when you reach the Sunshine Coast. Follow that until you reach the second roundabout, turning left onto Lottbridge Drove.
Turn right onto the A259 when you hit the roundabout by Homebase, then turn right into Channel View Road with The Oval a little further down on the right.
Admission prices are £7 adults, £4 concessions and £1 for under 16s.
