YOUNG PLAYERS COME IN TO HELP RESERVES TITLE DEFENCE GATHER STEAM
Hassocks Reserves made it two wins from two to start their Reserve Section Premier title defence as they ran out 4-0 victors over Shoreham in Friday Night Football at the Beacon.
Although this game failed to provide the sort of high quality entertainment that the two dismissals and a referee injury managed the previous week, it was nonetheless a good three points for the Robins as they maintained their 100 percent record under the new management team of Tim Wilkins and Phil Wickwar.
There were a few changes in customary reserve team football fashion with several players being dropped to the first team for the following day’s FA Cup Preliminary Round tie with Dorking Wanderers.
Goalkeeper Andy Edwards was replaced by youth team stopper Max Collins. With Ellis Common not quite fully fit and Ian Simpson unavailable, the rangy Rowan Wallis returned and another one of last season’s Under 18s in Chris Brown was handed the opportunity to show what he can do.
Shoreham started brightly, looking a well organised side as the numerous changes to Hassocks line up seemed to take a little time to settle in.
It came as a surprise then when the Robins took the lead. A long Hassocks throw initially appeared to have gone badly awry as it headed harmlessly towards the Shoreham goal.
That was until the visiting centre half decided to head the ball directly over the top of his oncoming keeper to score an own goal straight out of the Steve Spies/Brian Husbands school.
Unsurprisingly, such a comedy own goal following a dominant start rocked Shoreham and gave Hassocks the confidence they needed to get better as the half continued.
The second was not long in coming as a real old school goal mouth scramble followed a corner. With the ball bouncing around the box, it fell to Matt O’Brien who unleashed a volley from eight yards to score.
It was the centre back’s first goal since joining Hassocks from Haywards Heath Town and it came with him sporting a pair of boots that the boot fairy had supplied.
After the game, there seemed to be some renegotiations on the price. If anyone else would like a new pair of goal scoring clogs like O’Brien’s, please speak to Wickers.
10 minutes before half time and it was 3-0 as Hassocks were awarded a penalty after a trip on enigmatic front man Richard Thomas.
Prolific and equally enigmatic skipper Dan Jacques once again finished with aplomb from the spot to make it two goals in two games.
The second half started with left back Luke Pawson having to be replaced after a bang on the foot, although rumours spread after the game that he had actually requested to come off so he could leave early to get back to Brighton pier to win some more watches from the grab machine games.
The match ebbed and flowed after Pawson’s replacement with Jordan Millis entering proceedings and there was also action for fellow youth teamers Aaron Czech and Jake Booth.
Front man Neil Kane made way for Booth, Kane being hauled by a disgusted bench after he missed a sitter of a header for the second week running.
Hassocks wrapped up the victory after a fine move down the right resulted in a great cross coming in to the far post where Hugo Whitehouse arrived to make a difficult finish look easy with his weaker foot.
With Wilkins and Wickwar looking to give more chances to the talented youngsters at the club this season, it was good to see the game finish with three current youth teamers on the pitch alongside two of last seasons successful squad.
Hassocks: Max Collins; Chris Brown, Rowan Wallis, Matt O’Brien, Luke Pawson; Stuart Brown, Dan Jacques, Hugo Whitehouse, Jordan Peskett; Richard Thomas, Neil Kane.
Subs: Jordan Millis, Aaron Czech, Jake Booth (all used).
