For the second seasons running the Peter Bentley League Cup has thrown Hassocks and Bexhill United together at the second round stage.
The Robins will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last years meeting at the Beacon when they were on the end of a shock 1-0 defeat to their Division One visitors.
That game was settled by Corey Wheeler’s extra time goal, the second time in four seasons that the Pirates had claimed the scalp of Hassocks.
It was particularly memorable evening for the Pirates’ goalkeeper Dan Rose who pulled off in quick succession two of the finest saves the Beacon saw all season when denying Michael Death and then Nathan Miles.
United have been something of a bogey team for the Robins in cup competitions over the last few seasons, having also been responsible for Hassocks’ elimination from the 2014-15 Sussex Senior Cup.
That 2-1 defeat take place at the Polgrove where two goals from Jamie Morgan turned the tables after Miles’ opener.
It was the Robins last visit to the Polegrove and its magnificent old stand which doubles up as a listed building.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much prospect of regular visits to United’s home as they’ve struggled to get involved in the promotion race to the Premier Division.
Their seventh place finish last time out represented their third highest placing since winning promotion back to Division One in 2010.
Those were only bettered by fourth spot in 2010-11 and sixth place in that season they knocked Dave John’s side out of the Senior Cup.
It’s been a mixed start to this season for United with two defeats and two victories. Those two victories have both been by huge margins with a 7-1 success away at Storrington and a 7-1 win away at Seaford Town.
They were profitable games for Jack Shonk who hit hat-tricks in both of those encounters to lead the clubs scoring charts with six goals.
Their other two league games saw 1-0 defeats against the current top two in Division One, AFC Varndeanians and Alford.
At the weekend, they were on the end of a defeat nearly as heavy as those that they inflicted on both Storrington and Seaford, exiting the FA Vase 4-1 away at Bearsted.
Kick off at the Beacon is at 7.45pm and entrance is priced at £6 adults and £3 concessions with under 16s going free.
