Hassocks' battle to stay in the Isthmian League is over - but Littlehampton Town have chance of reprieve
Hassocks have been relegated from the Isthmian South East – but Littlehampton Town believe they have put themselves in line for a reprieve from dropping out of the same level.
The Robins have battled long and hard to maintain the step four status they earned last year by winning the Southern Combination title – but a last-day 3-2 defeat at Ashford United sealed their fate.
It looked good for Hassocks at times as they led 1-0 and 2-1 through goals from Lewis Finney and Ben Shroll. But Ashfoed came from behind to take a 3-2 win that sealed their fate.
Salt was rubbed into Hassocks’ wounds with Sheppey drawing 2-2 at AFC Croydon Athletic – meaning three points at Ashford would have kept James Westlake’s men up on goal difference.
Afterwards Westlake and chairman Pat Harding praised the efforts of everyone over a long, tough season and said they would be aiming to bounce back next season.
See Westlake’s interview with Colin Bowman in the video player above.
Hassocks join Beckenham, VCD and East Grinstead in being relegated from the Isthmian SE – but in the Isthmian SC division, Littlehampton retain belief they will stay up despite finishing in the top relegation spot.
A 4-0 win at Horndean on the final day – with goals by Kieron Pamment (2), Jordan Layton and Kash Kasukumya – has put them top of an unofficial points-per-game table of step four clubs vying for one relegation reprieve, which is reportedly down to a step three club in another part of the country quitting a league at the start of the season.
The Isthmian League says the matter of one of their clubs being reprieved is a matter for the FA, and the FA told sussexworld.co.uk no decision had yet been made, and step three to six allocations for next season would be made by the relevant FA committee in due course.
But it at least gives Marigolds fans hope of another season at Isthmian level.
Elsewhere across Sussex, apart from all the title excitement at Worthing, Horsham and Eastbourne Borough both finished their National South seasons with wins – Horsham beating Chippenham 3-2 and relegated Borough winning 3-1 at Chelmsford.
In the Isthmian Premier, Burgess Hill signed off with a 4-2 win at home to Cray Wanderers, Chichester City got a creditable 2-2 draw at Brentwood, Lewes lost 2-1 at Chatham and Whitehawk drew 1-1 with Potters Bar.
In the Isthmian SC, Bognor made it ten unbeaten by seeing off Binfield 3-0 at Nyewood Lane while in the Isthmian SE, champions Three Bridges drew 2-2 at Faversham, Crowborough beat Merstham 5-2, bottom side East Grinstead lost 3-1 at home to Margate, Eastbourne Town drew 2-2 with Sevenoaks, Broadbridge Heath lost 1-0 at Erith Town and Hastings lost 3-0 in Jersey.
In the SCFL Premier – as reported here – Steyning Town are champions after beating Seaford; Haywards Heath finish second and will host Peacehaven in one play-off semi while Guernsey will host Horsham YM in the other one.
In the SCFL Division 1, behind champions Godalming, the play-offs are scheduled to see Reigate Priory host Infinity and Billingshurst entertain Worthing United.