James Westlake is eyeing further FA Vase progress after leading Hassocks to the third round for the first time in their history.

The Robins produced one of their finest performances of recent times to beat fellow SCFL Premier high flyers Eastbourne United 5-2 in Saturday’s second round tie at the Beacon.

It earned the club £900 prize money and set up a third round visit to Southern Counties East League Premier Division side Rusthall in the next round on Saturday, November 28.

That prospect comes alongside a league campaign that’s bubbling up nicely and a Peter Bentley Cup campaign.

Hassocks have made club history with a place in the third round of the FA Vase | Phil Westlake

placeholder image — Hassocks have made club history with a place in the third round of the FA Vase | Phil Westlake

Westlake praised his players for the way they went about what could have been a tricky Vase tie against Eastbourne.

“It was a great day for everyone at the football club and it was really pleasing to get through to the next round,” he said.

“We started the game so brightly and deserved to be 3-0 up in 13 minutes.

“The players performed that well it could have been more than four goals by half-time.

“We managed the game brilliantly in the second half and more than deserved the win.”

Westlake is pleased to avoid another Sussex derby in the next round – although his team and Crawley Down Gatwick are now the only two from the county left involved.

Kent-based Rusthall play at the same step of the non-league pyramid as Hassocks and Westlake said: “It’s a game that we are looking forward to at the end of the month.

“It’s good to be playing a team outside of our league – albeit it would have been good to be playing at home.

“We have already been away from home and beaten a team in their league so we will be looking to do the same again.”

The Robins are third in the SCFL table, level on points with second-placed Eastbourne and five behind leaders Haywards Heath. They visit Lingfield on Saturday.

They’ve beaten Forest Row and Wick since a late collapse led to a defeat at Culver Road a few weeks ago.

Westlake said: “The players have bounced back from our defeat at Lancing and gone on a good run.

“It is really important to win games of football after a small blip and that’s exactly what we have done.”

A 9-0 win in the Peter Bentley Cup at home to Shoreham set up Tuesday night’s tie at Lancing, where goals from Dan Turner and Liam Hendy secured a 2-1 win. “While the Shoreham game was a good run-out, Shoreham’s approach to the game was disappointing so it was slightly pointless,” Westlake said.